Premier foreshadows easing of COVID-19 restrictions as state records cases at childcare centre

Dr Chant said NSW Health would be contacting staff and parents at the Oran Park childcare centre, but urged anyone who had been at the centre to immediately isolate.

She also urged everyone who attended the A2Z Medical Clinic in Lakemba between September 25 to October 2 to immediately seek testing.

Anyone who attended the clinic between October 3 and 10 should get tested, isolate for 14 days from the date they attended the clinic, continue monitoring for symptoms and if any symptoms develop get re-tested, Dr Chant said.

She foreshadowed further COVID-19 alerts later today concerning other cases detected after the 8pm cut-of that would be counted in Saturday's daily coronavirus announcement.

Sewage testing has detected traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the water treatment plant in Quakers Hill on October 13.

"The plant serves Sydney’s west and north-west where there have been recent cases, so that may be the explanation, but for the utmost caution we are asking people in that area to come forward and get tested if they have any symptoms," Dr Chant said.

From today, outdoor venues would be allowed to sit patrons two-square-metres apart if they have a QR code from Friday. The number of people permitted to attend outdoor concerts has also risen from 20 to 500.

Ms Berejiklian foreshadowed further easing of restrictions next week if the Dr Chant was happy with the number of cases recorded over the weekend.

The Premier welcomed the arrival of the first three flights from New Zealand to Sydney International Airport today whose passengers need not undergo hotel quarantine as the "first important step in bringing back international travel".

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW government had worked extensively with the federal government to restart flights from New Zealand.

“We welcome our Kiwi friends coming in but we are also doing it in a very covid-safe way,” Mr Hazzard said.

People coming from New Zealand will have had to be in New Zealand for at least 14 days prior to flying to Sydney. When they arrive, they will have to complete a declaration to indicate they have no COVID-19 symptoms and will be screened.

New Zealand arrivals will be kept separate from other travellers arriving from other parts of the world, who will go into hotel quarantine.

“There will be a very clear delineation of the categories of people who can come into our state, again striking the balance between tourism, the economy and keeping our local community safe,” Mr Hazard said.

The travellers may need to quarantine on their return to New Zealand.

Dr Chant also gave updated advice on venues where patrons and staff are believed to have been close or casual contacts of cases.

• Bargo Hotel, Great Southern Road Bargo, on September 26 between 7pm and 9pm. Patrons or staff who were there for an hour or more during this time are considered close contacts and must get tested, regardless of symptoms. Patrons or staff who were there for less than one hour during this time are considered casual contacts and must be tested should they have any symptoms.

• Spotlight Plaza, 147 Queens St Campbelltown, including the Spotlight store and Gloria Jean’s on September 26 between 11am and 1pm. Patrons or staff who were there for less than one hour during this time are considered casual contacts and must be tested should they have any symptoms.

• Narellan Town Centre, September 26 between 3pm and 5pm. Patrons or staff who were there for less than one hour during this time are considered casual contacts and must be tested should they have any symptoms.