Despite Omicron Variant Concerns, Australian State Sticks To Reopening Plan

SYDNEY:
Australia’s largest state, New South Wales (NSW), would continue to implement plans to reduce Covid restrictions despite growing Concerns about the Omicron Variant.

On Monday, the NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet stated that Australia shouldn’t react in a knee-jerk fashion to the Omicron Variant. Health officials are still gathering more information and residents need to learn how to live with the virus and any other Variants.

Perrottet stated that “the pandemic isn’t over” but that it was important to keep opening up the state and our economy.

“When there are new versions, the response should not include “Let’s shut it down.”

Two cases of Omicron strain were reported by the state on Sunday by international travellers who arrived in Sydney from southern Africa.

Perrottet stated that the state would need to be open “safely”.Perrottet also suggested that there may be three positive cases in NSW of the new Omicron-origin strain of Covid.

This is something the state’s Health Department is investigating, Xinhua news agency reported.

Victoria, one of the neighbouring states, is currently investigating a suspected Omicron case.

The person could have traveled to Victoria from NSW, and then returned to NSW.

Jacinta Allan, Victorian Transport Minister, said that health authorities had been “working through night” to understand the individual’s circumstances.

Allan stated, “If there is confirmed case (in Victoria), then the Department of Health will make a decision based upon that individual’s assess stances regarding what recommendations they may give in regards to periods of isolation or quarantining.”

According to the Victorian Health Department, close contacts of Omicron Covid cases confirmed or suspected will need to be isolated for 14 day, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

Monday saw Victoria report 1,007 new Covid-19 cases, while NSW reported 150.Both states have tightened their international border regulations, even though officials have not revealed any changes to the December reopening decision to permanent residents and non-citizens.

All international travelers who have been vaccinated would need to be isolated for 72 hours upon arrival in the two countries.