Covid Australia: NSW Health warns to wear mask indoor and on public transport: Jimmy Barnes cancels

Australia is once again in the midst of a massive Covid outbreak and health officials have urged the public to wear face masks indoors and on public transport.

Although there is no official health orders in place, authorities across the country are growing increasingly cautious after an 80 per cent uptick in cases in some states as mutated variants of the virus run rampant.

New South Wales last week had 16,636 positive results – an increase of 63 per cent – prompting a warning from Chief Public Health Officer Kerry Chant.

‘Because of the high level of COVID-19 transmission across the state, NSW Health is recommending that masks should be worn in indoor public spaces where [physical] distancing is not possible, and on public transport,’ NSW Health states on their website. 

The wave of infections has even seen Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes cancel a personal appearance in Western Sydney.

Australia is once again in the midst of a massive Covid outbreak and health officials have urged the public to wear face masks indoors and on public transport (pictured, Sydney commuters)

The Scottish-born singer was scheduled to sign copies of his new album Blue Christmas at Penrith Panthers Leagues Club on November 26.

But the 66-year-old Cold Chisel founder ditched the gig citing reasons of public safety, The Western Weekender reported.

Jimmy’s fans learnt of the news via the music icons official Twitter account. 

‘In order to keep everybody safe given the current increase in COVID cases,’ the message said, ‘the event at Penrith Panthers on Saturday…will not be proceeding. Thank you for understanding.’

Despite most of the world moving on from any restrictions around fears brought on by the pandemic, Jimmy’s fans praised his decision.

BA.5, BA.2.75, XBB, and BQ.1 are among the strains circulating in the community, driving up infections, and evading immunity from vaccinations and past infections.

 NSW last week had 16,636 positive results which is an increase of 63 per cent, prompting a warning from Public Health Officer Kerry Chant (pictured)

Meanwhile, travellers heading up to the northern hemisphere were advised by NSW Health to make sure their Covid-19 and flu vaccinations were up to date. 

But while Infection rates are rising fast they are well below this year’s high Omicron peaks in January, April and July.

These months saw the seven-day rolling average of case numbers of 47,543, 21,000 and 14,700, respectively. 

Nation Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly on Monday said this fourth Omicron wave wreaking havoc on Australia is set to hit its peak in the coming weeks and will likely decline sharply – as medical data from Singapore’s recent wave suggests.