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Covid anti-vaxxers may not be allowed into bars, restaurants

The NSW premier has floated the idea of banning people who don’t receive a Covid-19 jab from visiting certain locations such as hospitality venues.

Gladys Berejiklian on Monday said the state government was looking at ways it could incentivise the vaccine to encourage the public to receive it “for their own safety and the safety of others”.

“We like there to be an incentive system where people are encouraged to have it because it means they can do all these things which they may have otherwise been not able to do,” Ms Berejiklian told host 2GB radio host Ben Fordham.

She urged NSW residents to begin contemplating whether they will receive the vaccine, which is due to begin next month once approval is given by the TGA.

“For my part, I’ll be rushing to the queue as soon as I’m told that I’m allowed to have it,” she told listeners.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said rules could ban unvaccinated people from certain areas could be ahead. Source: AAP

“I want people to start thinking about that because the more people that are vaccinated, the greater likelihood that we can have a return to normality as we know it.”

Pubs, clubs and restaurants could be among businesses legally permitted to turn people away who opted not to be vaccinated, however a definite decision on that was yet to be made.

“We will also consider whether we’ll allowed venues to [let in people that aren’t vaccinated],” she said.

“Venues do that already, people make up their own rules if they run a business and run a workplace about what they feel is Covid safe.

“All workplaces and state governments no doubt will have a say in encouraging people to take it. And we should also remember that we have some of the strictest regulations on the planet when it comes to approving a vaccine.”

Ms Berejiklian also assured listeners concerned about Australia’s delay in getting the vaccine, saying it had been subject to a stringent approval process to ensure it was safe and effective.

“Please know that nothing would get approved if it wasn’t safe,” she said.

NSW recorded zero new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, as well as eight cases in hotel quarantine.

However, the tally came from fewer than 9,000 tests, prompting NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty to plead for an uptick in testing numbers.

Group of friends dining at a restaurant in Sydney.
Members of the public may need to be vaccinated before entering hospitality venues. Source: AAP

"The drop in daily testing numbers is of concern and NSW Health renews its calls for people to get tested if they are experiencing even the mildest of symptoms," Dr McAnulty said in a statement on Monday.

"The best thing we can do for our friends and family is to get tested."

Ms Berejiklian has previously flagged the possibility of easing restrictions on Greater Sydney this week but only if testing rates are sufficiently high.

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