NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet confirms massive changes to travelling back from overseas holidays

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has scrapped Covid PCR tests for international travellers instead opting to mandate rapid antigen tests. 

The Premier confirmed the major move on Thursday after a National Cabinet meeting where Covid-19 testing and a definition of a close contact were discussed. 

Mr Perrottet said the changes would ease ‘substantial pressure’ on the state’s testing system after exploding wait times and a delay in receiving results. 

‘We’ll move to a rapid antigen test there – that will relieve substantial pressure on the system because we’ve got around 5000 people flying into Sydney every day,’ he told 2GB radio 

Currently in NSW people travelling from overseas must receive a PCR test within 24 hours of their arrival and self-isolate until they are notified of a negative result. 

Another PCR test is required after six days and a third is recommended on day 12. 

Mr Perrottet also confirmed the isolation period for positive Covid-19 cases and close contacts would be slashed to seven days. 

He also outlined a close contact would be more tightly defined as a household contact of a confirmed Covid case.  

A close contact would also be more tightly defined, applying to household contacts of a confirmed case.