Genomic testing has confirmed two more overseas travellers, who recently arrived in NSW, have been infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern. The total number of confirmed cases of Omicron is now four in NSW.
Both passengers arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Singapore Airlines flight SQ211 yesterday (Sunday, 28 November). They are fully vaccinated and isolating in the Special Health Accommodation.
Everyone on the flight is considered a close contact and will need to get tested immediately for COVID-19 and isolate for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status. NSW Health is contacting all passengers and flight crew to advise them of isolation requirements. They can also call NSW Health on 1800 943 553 for further advice.
In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.
All fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours, pending further health advice.
Any unvaccinated arrivals go directly into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.
All flight crew who have been overseas during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 14 days or until their departure on another flight that leaves Australia, consistent with the current rules for unvaccinated flight crew.
Anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the nine African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.
