In New South Wales and Victoria, experts are advising people to have their Christmas festivities outside during the day and to invite fewer people, as the number of reported Omicron cases continues to rise.
Since both states reduce regulations in the lead-up to the Christmas holiday, there is growing concern that the expanding Omicron variant would jeopardize family reunions in both the areas.
The Australian National University’s Prof Peter Collignon, an infectious disease specialist and microbiologist, explained that, other than obtaining a booster shot, the most effective approach to keep meetings Covid-safe was to hold them outside.
“I believe you would receive some protection, particularly for your elderly relatives, if you attempted to have as many of your meetings outside as possible,” he suggested.
Although it would depend on the circumstances, having a BBQ outside is a good idea.” Being outside, as long as you preserve your distances, may provide you with greater protection than, for example, performing a large number of fast antigen testing.
“I’m hoping for a pleasant day on Christmas Day; it would make a big difference if you could spend as much time outside as possible rather than inside,” according to Prof Peter Collignon.
As the festive season gets into full gear, a new COVID-19 Omicron variant has arrived, with the potential to cause major disruptions to many people’s plans.
Scientists are still examining Omicron to better understand its risk of transmission as well as the effect of immunizations on neutralizing the virus, according to the World Health Organization. The variant was identified at the end of November, and experts are continuing to study it to find out more about its spread.
The reason why the experts are advising people to keep things simpler this Christmas in Australia is because the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, spreads rapidly than most of the other variants that came before.
As Victoria moved to loosen other regulations, with face masks no longer necessary at weddings, funerals, and other ceremonial events, and vaccine obligations dropped in most retail situations.
Proof of vaccination will also no longer be essential at real estate locations, institutions of worship, marriages, funerals and for under 18s.
NSW reduced regulations earlier in the week, notably reducing density limits, and only needing masks on public transit, at airports and on planes.
The publicized a record 1,742 new cases on Thursday, with Victoria reporting 1,622 in the same reporting period. There are now 122 confirmed instances of Omicron in NSW, with more expected to be verified in the coming days. Prof Collingnon recommended people to get their booster doses as the best method to prevent the disease from the new type, and to be alert of symptoms.
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