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PM Harris: Cable Has Strategically Positioned Itself to Support Digital Transformation

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, December 15, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — The Team Unity Administration will give priority to three pillars identified to enable digital transformation in the public sector, and Prime Minister the Hon Dr.Timothy Harris is commending The Cable for strategically positioning itself to support digital transformation in the country.

“Mr Speaker, while addressing the challenges of the day, we remain focused on creating the necessary environment to boost the economy during the period of recovery that lies ahead,” said Dr Harris. “We therefore propose that the 2022 Budget gives priority to the implementation of initiatives that are targeted at developing three pillars identified to enable digital transformation in the public sector, and the three pillars are, people – hence again the theme ‘investing in our people’, the processes, and the technology.”

Prime Minister Harris, who is also the Minister of Finance, made the remarks on Tuesday December 14 when he laid before the National Assembly, at a special sitting held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort’s Ballroom, the Appropriation (2022) Bill, 2021, under the theme ‘Investing in Our People – Putting St. Kitts and Nevis back on track’.

He assured that his Team Unity Administration will continue to invest in the development of the country’s public servants to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services to all who require them.

The Government, he added, will also ensure that the synergies between the goal to achieve digital transformation, and the development and expansion of entrepreneurs, particularly the country’s creatives and its innovators would be done through the continued partnership across agencies and sectors such as the Small Business Development Centre, the Department of Culture, the Ministry of Education.

That would include other thriving business operators and noted that he was sure that it would also include the relevant visitors when they come, as these areas are crosscutting and that Government will have a better idea of some of the practical things that are happening and will happen in 2022.

“We will continue, Mr Speaker, the important partnership with The Cable,” said the Honourable Prime Minister. “The Cable has strategically positioned itself to fully support the digital transformation in St. Kitts and Nevis, and I want again to commend its very competent and visionary CEO in Patricia Walters, who is here.”

The Team Unity Government, assured Dr Harris, welcomes the progressive involvement of the Private Sector in the development of a digital economy in the Federation. He pointed out that The Cable continues to demonstrate its good social corporate responsibility by providing a small, medium business package of 100 Megabytes, providing three times the speed for a minimal fee increase.

“Additionally, nine free Wi-Fi hotspots were installed in downtown Basseterre,” stated the Prime Minister. “My understanding is that they provide connectivity to approximately 20,000 residents and visitors each month. So, you do not have internet at home – I would wish everyone would have – there are nine free Wi-Fi hotspots downtown. You do not have data, go to the Square or go to eight other hotspots properly and conveniently located in the Basseterre area. This of course is getting the internet service absolutely free as a result of this intervention.”

Apart from the hotspots in downtown Basseterre, The Cable continues to provide free internet access to 17 community centres on the island of St. Kitts. The company, as a result of its outreach, is uniquely poised to maintain productivity and advance connectivity through the entire island using its fibre optic cables.

The Prime Minister said that he had asked Ms Patricia Walters, The Cable CEO, to provide a paper to Cabinet, “because what we have in terms of our fibre optic cables and network is an important resource that could bring benefits beyond St. Kitts and Nevis. And so, I have put Ms Walters to speak with the regional people who have come forward to me to share this particular view. It is a matter that the former Minister of ICT, the Hon Vincent Byron, and I have spoken on several occasions.”

The Cable, Dr Harris further advised, will also begin to connect homes in communities to its new underground fibre broadband network in the new year. He added it is an important element in facilitating the very important objective of the Government to develop a digital society where affordable and accessible high-speed internet is available to all.

In terms of the country’s skills and human development and expansion, Prime Minister Harris said that it has been already captured the attention of the public by the significant investment the Government is going to be making in 2022 in education – over $100 million.

“I want again to thank The Cable for its partnership with the Ministry of Education over these difficult 21 months, by providing free internet upgrades and of course ensuring that all 15 of our early childhood centres, all our primary and secondary schools, and all our teachers have access to ICT facilities,” said Dr Harris. “I want again to commend you Ms Walters for your yeoman’s service in this regard.”

 

The post PM Harris: Cable Has Strategically Positioned Itself to Support Digital Transformation appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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UK: Record Daily Cases–2 Variants Together, Most Vaxed People with Covid are Seniors, More

The UK has reported its highest number of daily infections, 79,000, since the pandemic began, and England’s chief medical officer has warned that more Covid records will be broken.

Speaking at a Downing Street news briefing, Prof Chris Whitty said the Omicron variant was moving at a phenomenal pace and that case numbers would continue to hit new highs over the coming weeks.

In that case, infections will reach a level that will exceed testing capacity. So why is it happening and what does it mean for the NHS? Here are three takeaways from a record day.

1. We’re seeing two epidemics at once

Chart showing rising Covid cases in the UK in recent weeks

Omicron is spreading rapidly, but Delta is not disappearing. It means we have two variants circulating together. It is still early days, but it does appear to be different from what we have seen before when Alpha wiped out the original variant circulating in the UK and was then itself displaced by Delta.

This is likely to be because Omicron is able to get past some of the body’s defences built up by vaccination and previous infection. The two variants are not competing for the same people.

It means at the moment we have a fairly stable number of cases of Delta – as we have had pretty much since the summer.

But Omicron cases are rising rapidly and driving the overall number of cases up. Latest data suggests about a quarter of cases are Omicron – that would mean around 20,000 of Wednesday’s reported 79,000 cases have been caused by the new variant.

It is quite possible these two variants will circulate together for a while, although the expectation is that Omicron will eventually displace Delta given how much immunity vaccination and our high levels of infection give against that variant.

2. Infections are rising at break-neck speed

Omicron chart

Health officials have been saying for days that we should expect cases to surge.

And these are just the ones that come forward for testing – the true level of infections will be much higher.

Omicron cases are rising rapidly, probably now doubling every two days, so it was only a matter of time before a new high was set – although the lack of testing at the start of the pandemic means comparisons with that wave are difficult.

Expect new records to be set day after day as these numbers are only going to go up from here.

If the two-day doubling continues, by Christmas Day 640,000 Omicron infections would be being recorded and early in the new year the whole population will have been infected.

That said, the cases would never be spotted as testing capacity is limited to fewer than one million a day.

Clearly, however, that rate of growth will slow. There are already signs this has started happening in South Africa.

But not before we get to – in the words of UK Health Security chief Dr Jenny Harries – staggeringly high rates of infection.

3. The threat to the NHS is uncertain

Chart showing modelling

What is not clear is what it means for serious illness.

There are suggestions Omicron is causing milder illness.

There is logic to that – reinfections or infections post vaccination are likely to be milder.

But if infections continue to rise as quickly as they are, that will push up hospital admissions.

Even if the severity of the virus is halved, as soon as the total number of infections double, hospitalisations will go up.

Left unchecked, with no extra restrictions than we have now, the peak will come quickly. How big it will be is uncertain.

Modelling from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has suggested that in a best-case scenario hospital admissions in England could peak at just over 2,000. But in a worst-case scenario they could exceed 6,000.

To put that into context, last winter it topped out at 3,700 a day after lockdown was introduced.

Privately ministers accept that if the numbers go past 2,000 a day, with no sign of them levelling off, the NHS would be at real risk.

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Omicron not derailing US vaccine strategy

 

© Getty

No big change-up in the composition of the vaccines is imminent to fight omicron, President Biden’s chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said Wednesday.

Fauci said at this point there is no need for a modified vaccine specifically to fight the omicron variant, instead urging people to get a booster shot of the existing vaccine.

“Our booster vaccine regimens work against omicron,” Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, said at a press briefing. “At this point there is no need for a variant-specific booster.”

Vaccine makers like Pfizer said that they had started work on a modified vaccine for omicron soon after it was discovered in case it was needed, and that it could be available in less than 100 days. But as more data has emerged, there have been some reassuring signs about the effectiveness of three doses of the existing vaccines against omicron, though protection from two doses significantly falls off.

Not having to implement a new vaccine could eliminate many logistical and supply hurdles to the vaccination effort.

Data so far on current vaccines: Fauci said the omicron variant “undoubtedly compromises the effects” of two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines in preventing infection with the omicron variant. Effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine with two doses fell to just 33 percent in a South African study, though there was better protection against severe disease, at 70 percent.

Early studies have shown much stronger protection after three doses, though. Early data from the U.K. showed effectiveness against infection with three doses rose back to 75 percent, from about 30 percent after two doses.

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MOST BREAKTHROUGH HOSPITALIZATIONS INVOLVE SENIORS

A large majority of fully vaccinated patients hospitalized and diagnosed COVID-19 between June and September were seniors, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) analysis released Wednesday.

Almost 70 percent of fully vaccinated patients admitted to hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 were aged 65 and older, making up a “disproportionately large share” of breakthrough hospitalizations.

Ten percent of breakthrough hospitalizations occurred among those younger than 50, and one-fifth occurred among those aged 50 to 64.

But unvaccinated COVID-19 hospital patients skewed younger, with 41 percent of cases involving patients younger than 50 and 30 percent involving those aged 50 to 64.

Seniors who experienced breakthrough cases also appeared to have shorter hospital stays on average. The median stay for fully vaccinated patients was 5.6 days, compared to 6.7 days for those who were unvaccinated.

A larger portion of fully vaccinated hospital patients had a comorbidity than unvaccinated COVID-19 patients. But less breakthrough patients had COVID-related respiratory complications or treatments, indicating they may have been admitted for “unrelated reasons.”

“If this is the case, it would mean that the gap in risk of COVID-19 hospitalization between vaccinated and unvaccinated people is even greater than previously known,” KFF noted.

The post UK: Record Daily Cases–2 Variants Together, Most Vaxed People with Covid are Seniors, More appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Public Invited: NTA to Host 2nd Edition of “Nothing Like a Nevisian Holiday”

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (December 15, 2021) — The Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA) will host its second edition of “Nothing like a Nevisian Holiday” at The Hermitage Inn from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 18, 2021.

Mr. Devon Liburd, Director of Sales and Marketing at the NTA, says this year’s event will be open to the public.

“This year in addition to the virtual component, the Task Force has allowed us to have an in-person aspect of this ‘Nothing like a Nevisian Holiday.’ So it’s open to the public this year. We have a cover cost of $10 for anyone wanting to visit…We are going to present to you some of the experiences, some of the sports, some of the dance, some of the music that we as Nevisians use during the celebration of Christmas…

“We are going to have string band music; we are going to have the Big Drum music; we are going to have masqueraders; we are going to have carolling by the Coelis Choir; we are going to have the Cake Walk dancers; we are going to have the Moko Jumbie; we are going to have a demonstration of how to make…a traditional Christmas dish – potato pudding; we’re going to have a demonstration of an individual creating a Christmas cocktail,” he said.

Mr. Liburd noted that this year’s event will give patrons an opportunity to purchase gifts.

“In addition to all of these performances, we’re going to have a number of vendors, just eight or so vendors. We know that persons will be looking to purchase last minute gift items for their family and friends, so we’ve invited a few vendors to be at the event.

“This was not a part of last year’s event so this aspect of it is new so we are going to have some craft vendors. We are going to have Mark from LL Rum and we are going to have some general artisans displaying their items and persons will be free to purchase their items also,” he explained.

The NTA official added that a local cook who demonstrated how to cook Nevis-style coconut tarts at the first event will only be present to sell tarts.

The first “Nothing like a Nevisian Holiday” last December, was executed in the hope of bringing local Christmas traditional celebrations to the homes of both members of the diaspora and visitors virtually, since traveling restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic prevented persons worldwide from visiting Nevis..

Mr. Liburd described the first event, which was held in collaboration with the Department of Community Development and The Hermitage Inn, as a successful one which prompted the NTA to host the second “Nothing like a Nevisian Holiday” event.

“Last year was such a successful event we decided that this year we are going to have a second staging of that event. As a matter of fact, in 2020 we had up to 10,000 social media views on the various channels that we had and we decided that was good. Persons received it very well. The comments were very positive. People were able to have that nostalgic experience of being at home and felt very good not being able to be in Nevis at that time,” he said.

The event will be carried via the Nevis Television and the Nevis Tourism Authority media platforms.

Later that evening Mr. Liburd noted that The Hermitage Inn will host its West Indian Feast and pig roast from 7 p.m. at a cost of EC$145.

The post Public Invited: NTA to Host 2nd Edition of “Nothing Like a Nevisian Holiday” appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Colombia U. Post Grad Scholarship Offer Open for Applicants…Dec. 21 Deadline

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS— The Nevis Island Administration, Ministry of Human Resources is pleased to inform of the Colombia Scholarship Offer, which provide applicants with the opportunity to specialize in Masters and/or PHD programs in Colombia.

In order to apply, candidates must meet the following requirements:

i.       A foreign undergraduate degree in any area of knowledge;

ii.        At least 4.0 GPA of the undergraduate program;

iii.         At least one (1) year of professional experience in the related field;

iv.         Have a high command of the Spanish language; and

v.        Must be in a range of age between 25-49 years old.

The scholarship benefits include:

  1. Tuition fee;
  2. Living expenses;
  3. Health insurance;
  4. Books and materials;
  5. Visa application; and
  6. Reallocation grant.

For detailed course information and application guidelines please visit the below website:

https://web.icetex.gov.co/becas/programa-de-reciprocidad-para-extranjeros-en-colombia

Note that applications must be completed online via the aforementioned website and a copy of the completed application must also be forwarded to the Ministry of Human Resources by Monday, 20th December, 2021.

The post Colombia U. Post Grad Scholarship Offer Open for Applicants…Dec. 21 Deadline appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

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Fifth child dies after school jumping castle tragedy

A fifth child has now died after a freak jumping castle tragedy during an end-of-year celebration at a primary school in Tasmania.

The children fell an estimated 10 metres after the jumping castle they were in, along with several inflatable 'zorb' balls, were picked up by a powerful gust of wind about 10am.

Police confirmed this evening that another child had died in hospital after the incident, brining the death toll to five.

This afternoon police said four other children were in a critical condition and one is in a serious condition. 

Two boys and two girls were among those killed.

LIVE UPDATES: Victoria has 1622 new virus cases, nine deaths

A child has died in a jumping castle accident at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport.

The grade five and six students were celebrating their last day of term at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, in the state's north-west, when the incident occurred.

Police and emergency services, including two helicopters, rushed to the scene within minutes and began administering first aid.

Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said an investigation was underway into the incident and the Coroner had visited the scene of the tragedy.

"On a day when these children were meant to be celebrating their last day of primary school, instead, we are all mourning their loss," Mr Hine said.

"Our hearts are breaking for the families and the loved ones, schoolmates, teachers, of these young people who were taken too soon. 

"Our thoughts are also with those emergency services personnel who attended to try and save these people's lives."

A report will be prepared for the Coroner in conjunction with WorkSafe Tasmania. 

Premier Peter Gutwein described the tragedy as "devastating and heartbreaking for all involved". 

"It's difficult for me to find the right words in such tragic circumstances," he said.

"I'm certain that I speak for all Tasmanians next tending my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of everyone affected by today's tragedy. 

The accident occurred during an end-of-year celebration.

"For the five children who remain in hospital, our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and their friends during this very difficult time.

"On a day when school children were celebrating at the end of term so close to Christmas, it's simply inconceivable that this shocking incident has occurred."

A vigil has been set up at the Devonport Uniting Church, about 2.5 kilometres from the scene, with several locals turning up to light candles in tribute to the children.

Flowers have also been laid outside the school gates in tribute to the schoolchildren.

Devonport City Council mayor Annette Rockliff told 9News the tragedy had rocked the community.

"To have such a tragedy in our school community, it is still really hard to get your head around," she said.

"I can't even imagine what those families are suffering at the moment.

"It's obviously every parent's worst nightmare."

It was the first day on the job for two paramedics who assisted at the scene.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the accident was "unthinkably heartbreaking".

"Young children on a fun day out and it turns to such a horrific tragedy, at this time of year," he said.

"It just breaks your heart."

Police and emergency services remain at the scene.

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Rare whale shark sighting off NSW coast

Two fishermen got to experience a rare sighting of a whale shark off the New South Wales coast.

Whale sharks are a great tourist attraction in Western Australia but are rarely seen on the east coast.

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Rare whale shark sighting off the coast of NSW.

In a boat off Broughton Island near Hawks Nest, two fishermen watched and even touched an eight-metre whale shark bobbing beneath their boat.

To see the encounter, watch the full video above.

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Kids in NSW slapped with over $2.1 million in COVID-19 fines

Children in NSW are struggling to pay back COVID-19 fines, after being hit with over $2.1 million worth since July last year.

New data reveals New South Wales police have doled out almost 3000 on-the-spot penalties to kids failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, some worth as much as $5000.

Samantha Lee, police accountability solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre, explained minors simply cannot be expected to pay.

READ MORE: Millions of dollars in COVID-19 fines go unpaid in NSW

Police have handed out thousands of fines to minors

"A child has as much capacity to pay a $1000 or $5000 fine using their pocket money as an ant has to push a boulder uphill," she said.

"The issuing of a penalty notice should be a measure of last resort, especially where children are concerned."

Representatives from the Aboriginal Legal Service say these fines are being issued to a disproportionate number of children from Indigenous communities.

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Fake $50 and $100 bills have been circulating in the city's southern suburbs over the past month.

"Some of the children we are assisting received multiple $1000 fines in a single day," Aboriginal Legal Service acting CEO Nadine Miles said.

Ms Miles criticised police for handing out such heavy fines to the state's most vulnerable, the penalties only exacerbating the significant disadvantage Aboriginal children already face.

"The extraordinary number of fines reveals a failure by police to exercise their discretion to deal with young people appropriately," she said.

READ MORE: Secret details of three Sydney underworld hits revealed

The questionable exercise of police powers was a concern shared by Lauren Stefanou, coordinating solicitor of the Aboriginal Legal Service's COVID-19 legal assistance clinic. Ms Stefanou noted police chose to hand out fines despite alternatives to issue a warning or caution.

"It really does beg the question, 'why were those options not being utilised more readily?'" she said.

Ms Stefanou has represented children as young as 12 as they struggle to appeal. She explained much of the burden to repay would fall onto families already on the breadline.

"This debt is going to haunt children for months, if not years, to come."

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Teen charged after allegedly stealing puppy in Sydney crime spree

A teenager has been charged after he allegedly stole a puppy during a suspected crime spree across Sydney's south.

A 16-year-old boy allegedly stole an eight-week-old puppy named Teddy as well as multiple cars during a spate of thefts across Sutherland Shire.

Teddy's owner, Nicole Thomas, said she woke up to find her belongings and puppy stolen.

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Teenage charged after stealing puppy during alleged crime spree through Sydney's south.Teenage charged after stealing puppy during alleged crime spree through Sydney's south.

"I called his name and I looked up and realised the side door here was open slightly," she said.

"I raced upstairs and said to David, he's gotten out he's gone."

Teddy's suspected theft was part of an alleged crime spree that began in Taren Point at about 3.30am on Monday morning.

Three men allegedly broke into a home on Holt Road, Taren Point, stealing a set of car keys, hitting the 35-year-old homeowner with a metal pole, and stealing his Toyota Corolla.

The car was found submerged in Botany Bay.

READ MORE: CCTV shows shooter open fire outside Sydney gym

Teenage charged after stealing puppy during alleged crime spree through Sydney's south.

The three men then allegedly stole a Ford Escape at Kuramatta Place, Cronulla, at about 6am on Monday.

Police were then called to a home on Gambier Place, Sandy Point, on Tuesday evening after a young man allegedly broke into the home while the owners were sleeping.

The man allegedly took car keys, a Mercedes Benz, laptops various cases of alcohol, and the family's puppy 'Teddy'.

Officers found the Mercedes Benz in Wattle Grove at about 7.50am yesterday.

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Teenage charged after stealing puppy during alleged crime spree through Sydney's south.Teenage charged after stealing puppy during alleged crime spree through Sydney's south.

A search warrant was carried out at a unit at Claremont Circuit, Wattle Grove, where they found the car keys, bottles of alcohol and little Teddy, who was unharmed.

The puppy was safely returned to his family.

"I was so scared they may have hurt him and done something terrible to him, it was just such a relief to get him back," Ms Thomas said.

"Oh god, I cried. I kissed the detective."

The 16-year-old was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged.

He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court today.

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Growing Omicron cluster linked to Taylor Swift dance party in Sydney

A growing Omicron variant cluster has been linked to a dance party in Sydney.

At least 97 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been linked to the "On Repeat: Taylor Swift Red Party" at Metro Theatre on December 10.

NSW Health said it is "likely" some of these cases have the Omicron variant of concern.

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A Taylor Swift dance party is now the centre of an Omicron outbreak.

Anyone who attended the event from 9pm onwards on Friday, December 10, is now considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate for seven days.

More than 600 people attended the event.

NSW Health has also asked all household contacts of anyone who attended the event to get tested and isolated until a negative result is received

It comes as NSW posted the unwelcome record of 1742 new COVID-19 cases, with almost half of the infections recorded in the state's Hunter region.

There were no deaths and numbers in intensive care remain relatively low at 26 patients.

Of the 1742 new cases today, 633 of those were reported from the Hunter New England Local Health District.

https://twitter.com/livgracecurran/status/1471270212032864260

This includes 267 from Newcastle and 213 from Lake Macquarie.

As a result of the surging cluster in Newcastle, testing sites are seeing huge queues.

Some people are being turned away and asked to come back later today after some testing sites in the city reach capacity.

Some COVID-19 testing clinics have reached capacity in Newcastle.

A new alert was issued for the Cambridge Hotel on Hunter Street.

If you attended the venue at the following times you are deemed a close contact.

Anybody who was at the venue between 6.20pm and 2.30am last Friday night and Saturday morning must get tested and isolate for seven days.

More than 200 COVID-19 cases have already been linked to a Newcastle nightclub, which Health Minister Brad Hazzard said stemmed from an alleged isolation breacher travelling from Sydney to the Hunter Valley city.

However, just 10 people are in hospital in the Hunter region, with three in intensive care.

Newcastle music festival cancelled

A sold-out music festival in Newcastle has been cancelled under a public health order.

The Lunar Electric music festival was due to take place this Saturday, but will not go ahead due to the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

NSW Health said it continues to be concerned about the ongoing spread of the virus, which is believed to be primarily the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Netflix production shut down in Sydney

Meanwhile, a Netflix production in central Sydney has been forced to shut down after a COVID-19 case was detected.

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The production was taking place at the Carriageworks in Eveleigh.

Queues were long at a testing site in Bondi, with hundreds of cars in line.

Restrictions change in NSW despite rising case numbers

The NSW government is pressing ahead with its re-opening strategy despite the rapidly rising case numbers.

Remaining restrictions, save for limited mask rules and QR code check-ins, were lifted yesterday for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, while Premier Dominic Perrottet announced more changes.

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Essentially, only household members of a confirmed COVID-19 case will be considered close contacts, and they will have to do the full seven days of isolation.

Other contacts will need to isolate until a negative COVID-19 test result is returned.

It means fewer people will need to be in isolation over Christmas.

Omicron set to surge

Mr Hazzard yesterday warned the state could see up to 25,000 COVID-19 cases a day if the Omicron variant keeps spreading at its current rate.

The modelling was based on outbreaks and analysis of Omicron cases in South Africa and the UK.

Mr Hazzard said NSW needed to be "on alert", as Omicron cases were "doubling every two to three days".

READ MORE: Passengers from Newcastle frustrated by isolation 'confusion'

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard

Vaccines were not stopping the transmission of Omicron, Mr Hazzard added.

"But it would appear the severity of illness is not as bad as it was with previous variants of the coronavirus," he said.

Western Australia has meanwhile tightened its border with NSW, with the eastern state set to return to "extreme risk" status from Saturday.

Under the "extreme risk" category, travel from New South Wales to WA will not be permitted unless approved under the strictest of conditions, the WA Government said in a statement. NSW was previously classified as "high risk".

Approved travellers must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test in the 72 hours prior to departure, undergo hotel quarantine for 14 days, and be re-tested on days 1,5, and 14.