NSW Premier warns residents to brace for a 'difficult time' ahead as the state begins to reopen
By Ursula Malone
Posted 4h ago
Dominic Perrottet says case numbers will increase as NSW opens up, but people can learn to live alongside the virus.
The Premier Dominic Perrottet has warned of a "difficult time" ahead as the state begins to open up from Monday.
Key points:
NSW is expected to hit 90 per cent first dose vaccinations on Sunday or Monday
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says the Premier's changes to the road map were very low risk
Investigations are ongoing into how another Delta strain got into the community
NSW recorded 580 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and 11 COVID-related deaths in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday.
Mr Perrottet warned NSW residents to be prepared for more COVID-19 infections as restrictions were eased. "We will see … case numbers increase and hospitalisations increase, that is a natural part of opening up," he said.
"That's why we've done this in a safe way and ensured that we haven't done so until we've had that vaccination rate where we wanted to be."
The Premier said while health was his "number one concern", he was keen to get businesses open again and as cases rise, "we will learn to live alongside the virus".
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The new Premier said he was taking a "more conservative" approach to the road map out of the pandemic compared to the federal government.
"We believe that our conservative approach here ensures that we keep people safe but importantly get people back to work as quickly as possible," he said.
Dr Chant was asked if she was "comfortable" with the changes to the road map made under Mr Perrottet.
"The revised road map changes were formulated in the usual way where public health advice is put on the table," she said.
She said she had personally briefed the Premier and presented her advice at this week's meeting of the NSW crisis cabinet.
"I note that some of the changes are clearly very low risk," she added.
She said she would continue to give health advice to the government and was satisfied that the health advice was being considered.
"I am very appreciative that the government has given that a good airing," she said.