NSW backflips on QR codes and considers mailing free rapid tests as Covid cases surge

As the daily Covid-19 cases surged to a record 5,715 on Thursday, the government also confirmed that it would reintroduce mandatory QR check-ins at retail and hospitality venues in an attempt to assist contact tracers.

The arrival of the highly contagious Omicron variant coupled with requirements in a number of states for visitors to provide a negative PCR test before crossing borders has placed significant strain on the capacity of testing centres across the country.

The government is exploring the possibility of adopting a scheme similar to the UK, where rapid antigen tests have been mailed out to homes, as well as potentially being available through general practitioners and pharmacists.

The state government confirmed on Thursday that QR codes would again become mandatory in most NSW venues after those rules were relaxed earlier this month.

After the national cabinet meeting Morrison called on the states to reopen mass vaccination hubs to speed up the rollout of booster shots. But Hazzard hit back at that suggestion, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that healthcare staff shortages meant boosters should primarily be provided by GPs and pharmacists.

On Thursday Guardian Australia reported that pharmacists in the Covid-hit city of Newcastle have experienced significant shortages of booster vaccines and are having to turn away many of those looking for jabs.