COVID-19 measures set to ease despite rising case numbers

Victoria and New South Wales are easing their COVID-19 public health measures despite rising case numbers. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 in Victoria is at its highest level in almost a month, and case numbers in New South Wales have quadrupled in the past two weeks.

Restrictions are easing on Wednesday [[Dec 15]] in New South Wales and that has some epidemiologists worried.  Unvaccinated people will be able to attend venues in New South Wales and masks won't be required for customers in retail settings.  In Victoria, the state government has previously said masks would only be mandatory in retail settings until the 15th of December.  Victoria had 1,189 new infections and another six deaths and hospitalisations are at their highest level in almost a month.  Epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman, from the University of South Australia, has told Radio 3AW masks should stay.