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- Victoria and New South Wales will ease COVID-19 restrictions from Friday, with the scrapping of QR codes for certain industries and dance floors reopen
- The changes are similar across both states, with limits at hospitality and entertainment venues scrapped
- International arrivals will also have rules eased, with the non-vaxxed quarantine dropped from 14 to 7 days for returning residents
- Both states have seen a drop in COVID-19 cases and a higher vaccination rate
Australia’s two most populated states, Victoria and New South Wales, have agreed to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
The changes are similar across the states, with restrictions easing Friday, including scrapping the QR codes for certain industries and dance floors reopening. However, masks will remain for another week.
In Victoria, from 6 pm Friday, limits at hospitality and entertainment venues will be dropped, dance floors can reopen and check-in requirements will remain in all “vaccinated economy” settings such as hospitality and entertainment venues.
International arrivals will also have rules eased, such as they will no longer need a permit through Service Victoria and the 14-day hotel quarantine period for international visitors and aircrew who aren’t fully vaccinated or medically exempt will be reduced to seven days.
As community transmissions of COVID-19 reduce and vaccination numbers rise, the Minister will consider changes to office-based settings from next week to removed the recommendation that Victorians work from home.
“We always said these measures wouldn’t be in place for a minute longer than they are needed, and with hospitalisation numbers decreasing and less pressure on our health system, now is a sensible time to make changes,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“We’re grateful to everyone who has been doing the right thing, helping to reduce the impact of this virus on the community, our healthcare system and our economy.”
While over in NSW, from 12:01 am Friday, limits at hospitality and entertainment venues will be removed. QR check-ins will only be needed for nightclubs and all music festivals with more than 1000 people. Hospitals, aged and disability facilities can use their exisiting systems for recording visitors.
Singing and dancing and recommence in all venues except music festivals, where it will be allowed from February 25.
Mask wearing in the state will be only mandated on public transport, planes and indoors at airports, hospitals and disability care facilities, corrections facilities, and indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people.
Like Victoria, hotel quarantine for unvaccinated returning travellers will be reduced from 14 to 7 days.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is continuing to adopt a flexible and measured approach to protect the community and our health system.
“We don’t want restrictions in place for any longer than necessary and with hospitalisation and ICU rates trending downwards now is the right time to make sensible changes,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As we continue to move forward out of the pandemic we are ensuring that we keep people safe and people in jobs so life can return to normal as quickly and safely as possible.”
“Our frontline health staff have done an incredible job protecting the community and we need everyone to step up and do the right thing and get their booster shots to help keep themselves, their family, and the community safe.”
