COVID restrictions have been extended for another month in NSW | 7NEWS

With another surge in cases expected when children head back to school, current COVID restrictions have been extended for another month.

After falling away last week, the number in hospital with the virus is again on the rise and at a record high. It's two years to the day since the pandemic hit our shores.

The premier is taking the cautious road and deciding to keep those restrictions locked in, knowing he was hammered last month for lifting restrictions too quickly.

it will be a bitter disappointment for the hospitality industry. The 2 square metre rule remains, as does the ban on singing and dancing. Although there are exemptions for weddings and church services. Masks in all indoor public spaces when you're not eating or drinking.

QR codes are still mandatory as well, even though the premier admits most are never tracked and traced - although they can be for high risk venues. He says it gives people confidence to go out knowing there are protections there.

The theory is, they want to get through the back to school phase first when they are expecting another spike in case numbers.

After that, the restrictions will be re-assessed, and until then it's all about booster shots. The government today made it a patriotic duty to go and get vaccinated for Australia Day.

Today is two years to the day since the very first case of coronavirus in Australia.

Today though, the pandemic is far from over. Hospital numbers jumped today to their highest ever level 2,943 for NSW. Deaths are up too - another 29 people died. But ICU numbers dipped slightly.

Health officials still confident the trend indicates we have passed the peak of the Omicron wave.

More Details: https://7news.link/3fRACtF

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