1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, Welcome to the zely Oz. It is Thursday, 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: the sixteenth of December. It's the second last podcast of 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 1: the year. Fazzara and I. We are wrapping up the 4 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: pod for twenty twenty one after tomorrow's edition, but we're 5 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: going to go out talking about the same news story 6 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: we started this year, talking about COVID nineteen. Not sure 7 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: if you guys have heard about it, but it's a 8 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: little bit of a big deal. It's had a whole 9 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: new chapter and the cases here in New South Wales 10 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 1: but around much of the country are up. We're going 11 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: to take you through all the big changes and give 12 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: you some thoughts on where we stand. 13 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 2: A bone fragment has been found in the search for 14 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:40,240 Speaker 2: missing toddler William Tyrell, according to New South Wales Police. 15 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 2: It comes as the police are also confirmed the renewed 16 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:45,520 Speaker 2: search for Tyrol will end this week. 17 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 1: Former Australian test cricketer Michael Slater has been arrested after 18 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: he allegedly broken apprehended violence order earlier this week. He's 19 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 1: accused of sending a number of offensive text messages to 20 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 1: his former partner, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, and 21 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: later has been refused bail. 22 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,759 Speaker 2: The Director General of the World Health Organization has warned 23 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 2: the omicron variant is spreading at an unprecedented rate. He 24 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 2: added and a quote, We're concerned that people are dismissing 25 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:17,959 Speaker 2: omicron as mild. Even if omicron does cause less severe disease, 26 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 2: the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared 27 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:22,680 Speaker 2: health systems. 28 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 1: And now for your Thursday good news, the French Parliament 29 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: has voted to ban conversion therapy. The bill now must 30 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,560 Speaker 1: be signed by French President Emmanuel Macron to become law. 31 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 1: French Equalities Minister Elizabeth Monero said on Twitter very happy 32 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: with this agreement. She further added, no, being yourself is 33 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: not a crime. 34 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 2: It certainly felt like something changed yesterday on the COVID 35 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 2: nineteen front. Here in New South Wales. There was quite 36 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 2: a major spike in cases, and then we heard from 37 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 2: almost every state and territory leader around the country with 38 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 2: some changes to restrictions. While most of the states announced 39 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 2: and easing, there was also one state that did announce 40 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 2: a tightening of some restrictions in response to the spread 41 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 2: of the omicron variant and concurrent rise in cases. So 42 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 2: if we start with New South Wales. The major announcement 43 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 2: yesterday was from Premier Dom Perite. 44 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,639 Speaker 3: As we've said from the outset, our vaccination has been 45 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:25,920 Speaker 3: the key for us to be able to open up safely. 46 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 3: We've always said as we've opened up, as mobility increases, 47 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 3: a case numbers will increase. Our case numbers alone are 48 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 3: not the only important factor. What is important is our 49 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,519 Speaker 3: hospitalizations in ICU presentations. 50 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 2: Alongside this advice for media, he also announced the following 51 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 2: restrictions would be eased from yesterday. Density limits will cease 52 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 2: to exist, Masks will only be required on public transport planes, 53 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:57,239 Speaker 2: at airports and for unvaccinated hospitality staff who are working indoors. 54 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 2: We can say goodbye to most qrcos because they'll only 55 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 2: be required in high risk settings like hospitals, aged care 56 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 2: and disability care facilities, gyms, pubs and nightclubs. The biggie 57 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 2: is that proof of vaccination will only be required for 58 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 2: indoor music festivals with more than a thousand people and 59 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 2: cruisers with more than a hundred passengers. And yes, that 60 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 2: is a niche description, but the important point here is 61 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 2: that there is very little distinction now between the vaccinated 62 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 2: and the unvaccinated. In New South Wales. Businesses, however, can 63 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 2: still require proof of vaccination at their own discretion. Now, Sam, 64 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 2: there was another announcement that was important to you and 65 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 2: I because we'd had a lot of friends who were 66 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 2: canceling Christmas parties and dinners because they didn't want to 67 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 2: be isolating over the holiday period. What did we learned yesterday? 68 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: Premier Preite announced that fully vaccinated close contacts will only 69 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 1: have to isolate until they receive a negative PCR test. 70 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 2: So that's a change from the previous rule, which was 71 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 2: that if you were a close contact, you have to 72 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 2: isolate for seven days, regardless of whether you received a 73 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 2: negative test back. The Premier did, however, say that if 74 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 2: you live in a house with a COVID positive case, 75 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 2: you will still have to do seven days of isolation, 76 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: and the same applies for some other settings that are 77 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:19,040 Speaker 2: high risks. So for example, this Argyle club in Newcastle 78 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 2: would be considered one of those because we've seen hundreds 79 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 2: and hundreds of cases arise from there. This change in 80 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 2: the understanding of close contacts brings New South Wales into 81 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 2: line with Victoria, and that is a great segue into 82 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 2: what the Victorian government announced yesterday. 83 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,920 Speaker 1: The mandatory vaccination requirement has been removed for the following 84 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: settings retail, real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals. 85 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: It's still going to be required for hair and beauty 86 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: services and in restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs. There's a 87 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: number of other new freedoms that were announced yesterday, including 88 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: people under eighteen will not be required to show proof 89 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 1: of their VAX's status at all venues, including hospitality, and 90 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: face masks are no longer acqu at weddings, funerals or 91 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:06,719 Speaker 1: ceremonial settings. An interesting one, workplaces exposed to a positive 92 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 1: COVID case will no longer have to be deep cleaned, 93 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 1: and rural and regional health services can resume up to 94 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: seventy five percent of normal elective surgery activity. There are 95 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 1: some restrictions that still remain unchanged. Those include hospitality workers 96 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: are still going to have to wear their masks and 97 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: customers are still required to wear masks in retail settings. 98 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 2: South Australia wanted to get in on the fun as 99 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 2: well and announce that quarantine for international arrivals has been 100 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 2: reduced to seven days, so that is down from fourteen days. 101 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:41,119 Speaker 2: There were also announcements from the Act. Fully vaccinated close 102 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 2: contacts of omicron cases will no longer need to quarantine 103 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 2: for fourteen days, but rather isolate for seven days. Traveling 104 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 2: to the Act is also now restriction free, which means 105 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 2: that you're no longer required to fill out a declaration 106 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 2: or an exemption form to travel into the Act. However, 107 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:02,040 Speaker 2: the Chief Minister did outlined that the three day quarantine 108 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 2: requirement that seventy two hours of quarantine for fully vaccinated 109 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 2: overseas arrivals will remain. 110 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 1: There was also some really important announcements lace in the 111 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: day from WA There are changed border restrictions for New 112 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 1: South Wales from high risk to extreme risk. What this 113 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: means in practice is that exemptions for approved travelers will 114 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 1: be restricted from twelve oh one on Saturday to certain 115 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 1: government and specialist workers or extraordinary circumstances determined by the 116 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: State Emergency Coordinator or the Chief Health Officer. 117 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 2: When reflecting on New South Wales, Mark McGowan said the 118 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 2: situation is very concerning. He said that in our state case, 119 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 2: numbers are rising rapidly following a number of super spreader events. 120 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,919 Speaker 2: He said the New South Wales government has eased restrictions 121 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,719 Speaker 2: on the unvaccinated and their health Minister is now predicting 122 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 2: twenty five thousand cases per day and that was his 123 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 2: justification for tightening the border restrictions with New South Wales. 124 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 1: A lot of new information for everybody, so so it's 125 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: a podcast you might want to play again to slow 126 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,559 Speaker 1: it down. Especially as families around Australia think about getting 127 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: together for Christmas and New Year, this information and updates 128 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 1: from government is going to become extremely critical. We will 129 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 1: keep you up to speed on the Daily ODS. We 130 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: make sure to break down these announcements and changes in 131 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: restrictions as easily and simply as we can. You can 132 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 1: find us on Instagram at the Daily ODS. That's where 133 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 1: we do all of that throughout the day. Until then 134 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 1: we'll speak to you tomorrow. Have a fantastic Thursday.