NSW recorded no new cases of locally acquired COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Four cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine. Two previously reported cases, one locally acquired and one acquired overseas, have been excluded following further investigations. The total number of cases in NSW since the start of the pandemic remains at 4,435. While testing numbers have increased, NSW Health is urging more people to come forward for testing, especially with restrictions easing and borders reopening. NSW is encouraging residents in the south-western Sydney area to come forward for testing after traces of COVID-19 were discovered in sewerage. More details here.

From Monday 14 December 2020, the Public Health Order requiring employers to allow employees to work from home (where it is reasonably practicable to do so) will be repealed.
As employees return to the office, workplaces are encouraged to have COVID-Safe plans. Employers are encouraged to stagger staff starting and finishing times to reduce the impact on public transport. Customers using public transport are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.

In the UK, frontline health workers and the elderly have begun rolling up their sleeves to receive the coronavirus vaccine. In Australia, the National Cabinet endorsed the Federal Government’s COVID-19 vaccination policy last month. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says Australia is on track to make a final decision on approving the vaccine in January and start injections in March 2021. The Federal Government opted to buy 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine from overseas in the event it is successful. As well as the Pfizer deal, Australia has arrangements with Novavax, the University of Queensland and Oxford University/AstraZeneca. The Australia COVID-19 vaccination policy can be viewed here.

The Industrial Relations Commission has been guided by the COVID-safe requirement of four square metres of space per person in its Hearing and Meeting Rooms. As a consequence of the Health Orders that came into effect on 1 December 2020 which allow one person per two square metres in smaller venues, and the further easing of restrictions on Monday 7 December 2020, the Commission has increased the capacity of Hearing and Meeting Rooms. As a consequence of these changes, unless otherwise directed by the Commission, hearings in 2021 will take place in-person.  Any applications for the use of audio-visual facilities in matters before the Commission should be directed to the Industrial Registrar in accordance with the Commission's usual processes. More details on COVID-19 changes available here. The Industrial Relations Commission will have its final sitting on Tuesday 22 December 2020 and recommence listings on Monday 11 January 2020. The Industrial Registry will remain open until 1pm Friday 24 December 2020. Details available here.

Today is the final sitting day of the year for Federal Parliament. The Parliamentary Budget Office has today released its 2020-21 medium-term fiscal projections. This report is an annual update on the strength of the budget position over the next decade. It provides detailed projections of Australian government receipts, payments and debt, including an analysis of their drivers and risks. The report is available here.

As of midnight on 8 December, Western Australia relaxed its border with NSW and Victoria and those entering the state no longer need to complete 14 days of quarantine. The relaxing of WA’s border closure means NSW residents can now travel to every state and territory in Australia, although some require registration or permits to be completed. Details here.

The Law Society of NSW will be closed from Thursday 24 December through to Friday 8 January 2021. During this period the Law Society will be operating with a skeleton staff who will be servicing a limited number of functions. Non-urgent messages may not be responded to until 11 January 2021.The Solicitor Outreach Service (SOS) will also continue to operate during this period. More details available here.

Dine & Discover NSW is the NSW Government scheme to support local dining, arts and tourism businesses following the COVID-19 shutdown, and encourages the community to get out and about. From January 2021, NSW residents will receive Dine & Discover NSW vouchers to the amount of $100 to use for dining and entertainment to help support local businesses and jobs. The Dine & Discover NSW vouchers will be divided into two categories: two $25 vouchers to be used for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays, and two $25 vouchers to be used for entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, available seven days a week, excluding public holidays. More details available here.