South Australia brings in a raft of restrictions on home gatherings, hospitality venues and gyms ahead of New Year’s Eve after a surge of 774 new cases
- South Australia has recorded 774 new Covid cases – up from 634 on Saturday
- Authorities have introduced new rules which will come in from midnight Sunday
- House gatherings will be capped at 10, and capacity limits will be reintroduced
South Australian authorities have ushered in a raft of Covid restrictions ahead of New Year’s Eve after the state recorded 774 new cases.
The state’s daily case numbers grew by 140 on Boxing Day – from 634 recorded on Christmas – as the super-contagious Omicron variant runs fuels outbreaks across the country.
There are now 17 people in hospital in South Australian hospitals, including three in ICU, with more than 80 per cent of Sunday’s new infections found to be Omicron.
Premier Steven Marshall said new rules would be introduced from midnight on Sunday to combat the spread of the virus.
Home gatherings will be slashed from 30 to 10 people, while density limits for hospitality venues will be cut to one per four square metres indoors, and one per two square metres outdoors.
South Australia has recorded 774 new Covid cases, prompting authorities to swiftly reintroduce restrictions. Pictured: Healthworkers at an Adelaide testing facility
Gyms will also be restricted to one person per seven metres.
‘We are increasingly concerned about the Omicron variant,’ Mr Marshall said.
South Australia’s hospitalisations grew by five overnight from 12 reported on Saturday. Despite the rise in cases, hospital rates remain steady compared to Omicron’s predecessor, Delta.
The changes come as Covid cases continue to surge across the country over the festive season.
On Sunday, NSW recorded 6394 new daily infections, Victoria 1608, Queensland 714, the ACT 71, and Tasmania 44.
More to come.
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