NSW recorded 2,213 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night from 127,583 tests. Sadly, one death has also been recorded in the same time period. There are currently 215 people hospitalised with COVID-19, and 24 of those patients are in ICU.
Across NSW, 94.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.3 per cent are fully vaccinated. 
Full rundown of today’s statistics here.

NSW Health has been notified of a new venue of concern in Sydney associated with at least 97 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday evening. It is likely some of these cases have the Omicron variant of concern. Anyone who attended the “On Repeat: Taylor Swift Red Party” at Metro Theatre (624 George Street, Sydney) from 9pm onwards on Friday 10 December is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 7 days. NSW Health is asking all household contacts of close contacts to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received by everyone in the household. NSW Health is urgently contacting 600 people who attended Metro Theatre at this time and checked in via the QR code and is directing them and members of their households to immediately get tested and follow public health advice. More here.

With increasing transmission rates across the State and the impact of the Omicron variant of concern, NSW Health has determined visits to healthcare facilities should be restricted. Visits will be considered based on a risk assessment and in response to individual patient needs and circumstances. All visitors entering a NSW Health hospital or health service must be screened at entry. This screening advice is for authorised visitors entering a healthcare facility and will include a series of questions asked upon attempt to enter. This advice does not apply to any person seeking urgent medical attention. Read the update and new restrictions here. Generally, a visitor who has returned from overseas in the last 14 days should not be permitted to enter a healthcare facility. In exceptional circumstances such as end-of-life, an exemption will need to be made in consultation with the LHD or SHN as to whether a visit will be permitted.

The NSW Government is urging people to book in for their COVID-19 booster shot with restrictions easing as of yesterday, as part of the reopening roadmap. The new settings now in effect include: density limits will cease and masks will only be required on public transport and planes, at airports, and for indoors front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated. Masks are strongly recommended in settings where you cannot social distance; QR check-ins will only be required at high-risk venues including hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, business premises for personal services (e.g. hairdressers, salons and spas), pubs, small bars, registered clubs, nightclubs, and for indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people. Read the details here.

The Court has issued its latest protocol this week, effective from 4 January 2022. This includes requirements on vaccination status, masks and the use of QR codes. The criminal protocol, issues in November, is available here.

The District Court has published its law term vacation arrangements for criminal and civil arrangements, which can be viewed here. District Court Criminal Practice Note 22  "Vacated Trials due to COVID-19”, which commenced on 30 August is revoked as of 10 December. 

The Law Society of New South Wales will be closed from Friday 24 December 2021 through to Friday 7 January 2022. During this period, the Law Society will operate with a skeleton staff which will service specific licensing and trust department functions. The Law Society’s Phillip Street building and most services to the profession and public, however, will be closed. This is also the final COVID update of 2021. The updates will restart on January 13.