SYDNEY, Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s state of New South Wales announced yesterday, some further precautionary measures, to manage the new Omicron strain.
NSW, which scrapped mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers in early Nov, will impose a 72-hour isolation, at a nominated address or accommodation, and a PCR test for all overseas travellers, from countries and regions other than eight African nations, including South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi.
International travellers, who have been in the eight African countries, during the 14-day period before their arrival in the state, must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.
People will only be able to exit isolation at the end of the 72 hour period, if they received a negative result. After exiting isolation, people must complete an additional PCR test on day six after arrival, and comply with the NSW Health guidelines.
The state will also increase penalties for non-compliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements from 1,000 Australian dollars (about 711 U.S. dollars) to 5,000 Australian dollars (about 3,556 U.S. dollars) for individuals, and 10,000 Australian dollars (about 7,114 U.S. dollars) for corporations.
All the new rules will take effect from today, Dec 1.
The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet said, the measures were a necessary precaution to help keep people safe until more was known about the Omicron variant.
“We are well prepared here, but it is important we take the necessary steps to protect the community and adopt measures that will allow us to learn to live with COVID,” Perrottet said.
“We will continue to make any necessary changes as we receive updated information. Our overriding message, as always, is to continue to get vaccinated. It is still the best way to protect yourself and your family.”– NNN-AGENCIES
