NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has told residents to “be sensible” in large gatherings, warning it is “quite possible” the new “Omicron” strain has already made its way into the state.
With the World Hearth Organisation classifying the new mutation as a “variant of concern”, Mr Hazzard said the emergence of B.1.1.529 is a reminder to “be alert”.
“I can’t confirm Australia but I don’t believe there have been any in Australia yet. I can say that we appear that we’ve had no positive cases yet in NSW but I would also say that it’s quite possible,” he told reporters.
“One of the problems with this highly contagious virus and any of the variants is that it tends to be out hidden in the community and then it announces its presence when we least expect it so I think we do need to be all alert.
“Having said that, even if we are relaxing some of our rules, perhaps this virus reminds us that, if you are, as the premier has said as late as yesterday, if you are in close proximity to a lot of other people, even if the rules might not require you to specifically wear a mask, the advice is wear a mask.”