NSW records 177 new local coronavirus cases as travel restrictions set to ease

NSW has recorded 177 new local coronavirus infections, the lowest case numbers in months, but the state’s health minister has a warning.

NSW has recorded 177 new local Covid-19 infections a day before state residents will be allowed to travel internationally.

Sunday’s figures were the first in more than three months that the state has had less than 200 locally acquired Covid-19 cases.

Health authorities said there was one new death caused by the virus, while 78 cases were being treated in intensive care units. The state’s death toll since the Delta outbreak now stands at 514.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard congratulated the commmunity, but came with a warning.

“Thank you to the community more broadly in the way you’ve responded to our requests to beat this Covid virus into submission,” he said.

“That is fantastic news, still a lot more to do of course, we know that the virus is going to be around with us for many years to come and it does mean that every one us have to still take it very seriously.”

From Monday, fully vaccinated Australians returning to NSW from overseas will not need to quarantine and those wanting to head overseas will not need an exemption to do so.

NSW #COVID19 update – Sunday 31 October 2021

In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:

- 93.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 87.5% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 75,378 tests pic.twitter.com/K4WqLeBULC

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 30, 2021

From that day, Sydney residents will also be able to travel to regional NSW and, from Tuesday, the travel bubble with New Zealand will return with holiday makers allowed to move from NZ’s South Island to NSW and Victoria without quarantine.

Commonwealth chief medical officer Paul Kelly said rapidly increasing vaccination coverage had allowed Australia to open borders to the world from November 1.

“Vaccinated Australians will be able to travel internationally without seeking exemptions, and vaccinated Australian citizens, residents and their families will be able to return quarantine-free to jurisdictions that are ready,” the professor said in a statement on Saturday evening.

Restrictions continue to ease in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“One-way quarantine-free travel to Australia from anywhere in New Zealand can recommence from 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday 31 October 2021 for jurisdictions that are ready to do so and for travellers that have been in either Australia or New Zealand for the 14 days prior to departure.”

This will only apply to NSW and Victoria, however, as the two states are the only jurisdictions to abolish quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers.

As of Sunday, more than 93 per cent of NSW residents over 16 had received one dose and 87.5 per cent had received both jabs.

NSW virus numbers have remained relatively low for the past few weeks, compared with the months of August and September when there were more than 28 days with over a 1000 daily community cases.

Restrictions for the fully vaccinated have been significantly eased in the state, with further travel restrictions set to loosen on Monday.