Covid-19: People planning interstate trips who are asymptomatic may not have to be tested

Dominic Perrottet says he is talking to other premiers about removing the need for PCR tests for interstate travellers as the health system is under real pressure.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said he has had many “productive discussions” with the other state premiers to remove PCR tests for domestic travel.

His comments are after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk removed day five PCR testing requirements for tourists but NSW travellers still need a PCR test before they can enter the sunshine state.

The double-standard comes after Ms Palaszczuk was slammed for her testing requirements by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

“Asymptomatic or surveillance testing should not be occurring for travel,” Mr Perrottet told 2GB.

Mr Perrottet said he was working to alleviate pressure on NSW’s healthcare system and recent changes to healthcare isolation rules will put 1000 workers back into hospitals across the state.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, here with Health Minister Brad Hazzard, says he is working hard to ease pressure on the NSW health system. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr Hazzard on Monday slammed Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as refusing to listen to common sense. Picture: Jerad Williams

He has also instructed Mr Hazzard to resolve PCR testing requirements for cancer patients and new mothers who need a negative result to get treatment and see their newborn children.

“These issues are tragic for many... We are doing everything in our armoury to do it,” he said.

Mr Perrottet said testing clinics were running at “maximum capacity” despite several clinics closing at midday across Sydney.

“We have made sure our testing is at maximum capacity. Many of those clinics were not going to be open because they needed to get their results back,” he said.

Mr Perrottet also said the government has already purchased 20 million rapid antigen tests and is now looking at the best options for a roll out.

“We will provide them to everyone but they are not for everyday use,” he said.

As NSW continues to move towards an approach of “personal responsibility”, NSW Health has changed its guidelines for self-managing Covid-19.

Previously, health authorities advised that people under the age of 50 with two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine and without chronic health conditions or who aren’t pregnant were likely to be asked to self-manage their Covid diagnosis.

But on Tuesday afternoon NSW Health posted updated advice on Twitter saying they were raising the age guidelines to 65 years.

“If you are under 65 years of age, have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, do not suffer from any chronic conditions and are not pregnant you can safely manage COVID-19 at home,” they said.

Social media users were quick to consider the change in policy to be yet another sign of a system under pressure that is being forced to cherry-pick who can get additional support.