NSW recorded 5,715 covid cases today.
In the Northern Rivers 102 new covid cases were reported.
These cases were located in:
| Byron | 59 |
| Ballina | 9 |
| Lismore | 15 |
| Tweed | 10 |
| Clarence Valley | 8 |
| Kyogle | 0 |
| Richmond Valley | 1 |
There are six covid patients in hospital with one of these in ICU.
Northern NSW Local Health District urged people to get tested for covid at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.
All testing clinics are operating under usual hours during the holiday period.
The NSW government is considering mailing free rapid covid tests to people in an attempt to ease delays at the state’s overloaded testing centres but has resisted growing calls to reintroduce indoor mask mandates amid record case numbers.
The State Government is going to bring back mandatory QR check-ins at retail and hospitality venues to assist contact tracers.
The travel requirements across borders where visitors have to provide a negative PCR test has placed strain on the capacity of testing centres.
Going to Queensland for Christmas
For those travelling to Queensland, Richmond Valley and Kyogle LGAs are considered non-restricted border zone areas.
If you are fully vaccinated you can travel to Queensland but you will need to go online and apply for a Border Zone Travel (X Pass) here.
You can only apply three days before you travel.
For those are not vaccinated you have to apply for a special permitted purpose to enter Queensland.
Once in Queensland, mask wearing is mandatory in indoor cinemas and theatres by hospitality staff, in taxis and rideshares by both driver and passenger, unless the driver is alone in the taxi.
These rules can change at any time.
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