New COVID-19 guidelines for businesses as NSW records 667 local cases 10 deaths

By Jenny NoyesUpdated October 3, 2021 â€" 1.23pmfirst published at 11.37am

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has issued new guidelines for businesses and pleaded with NSW residents not to “let the side down” as the state reported 667 new COVID-19 infections and another 10 deaths on Sunday.

Mr Hazzard said Sunday’s case numbers showed “quite a dramatic drop in the last three weeks”, but he urged football fans to keep their celebrations in check as while watching the NRL grand final on Sunday afternoon.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant on Sunday.Credit:Jessica Hromas

Mr Hazzard said the numbers â€" down from the 1599 reported three weeks ago â€" could easily rise again “if we ignore the rules and ignore the guidelines that our public health team have given us to keep us safe”.

Mr Hazzard said it was “incredible” to have two city teams in the grand final this year, which is being played in Brisbane. But he’s pleading with households not to overdo the celebrations.

“Please don’t let the side down. This is a game that we all must win,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Your home remains one of the most dangerous places to be in terms of transmission of the virus. And we need to make sure that we all enjoy the game, but we don’t have a super-spreader event.”

The grand final was confirmed after Queensland reported zero new infections on Sunday, a feat Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described as “absolutely tremendous news”.

As NSW’s reopening plan forges ahead, the state’s businesses will be responsible for taking “reasonable measures” to stop unvaccinated people entering their premises under updated rules for the state’s roadmap out of lockdown. And if they don’t comply, both individuals and businesses could face hefty fines.

The following are among the key public health advice and obligations for businesses announced on Sunday:

Businesses will be responsible for taking reasonable measures to stop unvaccinated people from entering. For example: Prominent signage, QR code check-ins, staff checking vaccination status on entry and only accepting valid forms of documentation

Authorised officers will monitor businesses reopening, particularly those with vaccination requirements

Penalties including on-the-spot fines may apply for non-compliance â€" up to $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses

If a staff member tests positive they must isolate for 14 days and follow advice from NSW Health

Businesses must inform NSW Health if three or more staff members test positive over a seven day period

NSW Health guidelines will enable businesses to assess workplace risk if a COVID-19 case is identified and confirm actions to be taken

The new measures were revealed as the state’s double-dosed vaccination rate grew to 66.5 per cent of residents 16 and over, while 88.1 per cent of the eligible population has now had one dose.

But hospitalisations and deaths are continuing to rise. Another 10 people died from COVID-19 in the latest reporting period: two people in their 50s, four in their 60s, two in their 70s and two in their 80s. Four of the deceased were unvaccinated, four had received one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while two had been administered two doses. This brings the death toll of the state’s current outbreak to 372 people.

NSW hospitals now have 981 infected patients admitted, with 195 of those in intensive care units. Of the 195 in ICU, 140 were not vaccinated while 41 had received one dose, and 14 had both doses. There are 93 people on ventilators.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said that while there is a “pleasing” decline in cases in metropolitan Sydney, there are increasing trends in the state’s regions.

The Sydney suburbs of Greenacre, Bankstown, Bidwell, Ilford, Yagoona, Bolles Baye, Hurstville and Ingleburn remain areas of concern, she said, “but we are also concerned about Wollongong, Newcastle, Maitland, Wellington, Oberon, Queanbeyan and Deniliquin.”

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