NSW recorded zero new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There were seven new cases in returning overseas travellers, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,211. In the 24 hours to 8pm last night, NSW Health administered 4,185 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of doses administered in the state to 185,620. More information here.

NSW Health is investigating potential transmission of COVID-19 between returned travellers. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant today provided an update on positive cases of COVID-19 emerging from the Mercure Hotel in Sydney’s CBD. NSW Health now believes it is “less likely” the three people who have tested positive to the virus contracted it overseas. All three people, two of whom are members of the same family, tested negative on their day-two swabs in hotel quarantine, before subsequently testing positive for COVID-19 later during their quarantine periods. The two family members stayed in connecting rooms on the 10th floor of the hotel, while the third person was in an adjacent room. The family members tested positive on days seven and 10 of their stay, while the person in an adjacent room tested positive on day 12. They have been transferred to the Special Health Accommodation, where they will remain until no longer infectious. Dr Chant says “an environmental investigation” is underway at the Hotel and NSW Health is making contact with 40 people who were staying on the same floor as the positive cases during the suspected infection period of the 7^th-12^th of April. Hotel staff who worked on the floor are also being tested and self-isolating. More details here.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today indicated NSW is planning to have mass vaccination hubs up and running by next month. The Premier says NSW Health “has already identified over a hundred sites around New South Wales where people will have access to the vaccine.” Watch the Premier's remarks here.

From 19 April 2021, COVID Safe capacity on all public transport modes has been lifted to 75 per cent. In practical terms, this means people can now sit next to each other on their trip and be safe. The green dots will remain on board services in their current configuration but only for if needed again. TrainLink regional rail and coach services are able to be booked at 100 per cent capacity, providing even more travel options for those wanting to explore regional NSW. More information here.

The National Cabinet this week discussed changes to Australia’s vaccine rollout strategy. National Cabinet agreed in-principle to a series of changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy that will be put forward for approval at the next meeting. This includes options to bring forward the commencement of vaccinations for over 50 year olds under the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy priority group 2a, and the readiness of more state and territory-operated vaccination sites including mass vaccination sites, as vaccine supplies increase. National Cabinet reinforced that general practice will continue to be the primary model of rolling out vaccinations for Australians over 50 years of age, with states and territories to consider options to supplement rollout through expanded state vaccination centres. The medical advice remains that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is safe and recommended for Australians over 50 years old and all states will continue to be prioritised AstraZeneca for Australians over 50 years old. Further details from the meeting are available here.

A NSW Government grants program will provide $4.1 million towards health and safety improvements to NSW Crown reserves and help recover the economic impacts of COVID-19. The grants will be considered for a range of projects including: upgrading hygiene facilities such as toilet blocks, soap dispensers and hand sanitiser stands; purchasing equipment, signage and other resources to support COVID-safe events; and work, health and safety audits for reserves by qualified professionals. Many reserves were forced to close during COVID-19 causing impacts to visitation, events and income. The grants program aims to boost the social benefits of the reserves and help drive visitation across the state. Crown land managers, local councils and other trust managers can apply now for the grant program. Applications close April 30. More information here.

The NSW Government has released guidance for ANZAC Day events this Sunday, including the CBD March and playing two-up. Outdoor Anzac Day marches and services may be held as COVID-safe outdoor gatherings, with up to 5,000 persons subject to the two square metre rule. An exemption has also been granted for the Anzac Day march organised by the RSL NSW, to be held in Sydney's city centre. The exemption allows for a maximum of 10,000 people to participate in the outdoor event. Details here.

The Federal Government is extending the construction commencement requirement for the successful HomeBuilder program from six months to 18 months for all existing applicants, bringing the total level of expected support for the construction sector under the program to $2.5 billion. More than 121,000 Australians have applied for the grant which is expected to support around $30 billion of residential construction projects. The HomeBuilder program was specifically designed to protect tradies’ jobs and catalyse economic activity in the construction industry, particularly residential construction, in response to the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension will only apply to existing applicants and provide an additional 12 months to commence construction from the date that the building contract was signed. All applicants who signed contracts during the HomeBuilder eligibility period between 4 June 2020 and 31 March 2021 will have this extension applied to them. More information here.