NSW sets record with 5,715 new COVID-19 cases

The number of new COVID-19 cases has exceeded 5,000 for the first time - setting a new record for the highest daily COVID-19 tally in Australia.

People queue at the St Vincent's Bondi Beach COVID-19 drive through testing clinic on December 17, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

The NSW government is considering providing free rapid antigen tests in the mail and it's likely there will be a return to mandatory QR check-ins at retail and hospitality venues.

But Premier Dominic Perrottet is still resisting bringing back mask mandates at indoor venues, despite NSW Health urging everyone to wear them in high-risk settings.

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