The NSW government has announced a $NZ553 million package to revitalise the pandemic-ravaged tourism industry as the state records another 283 Covid-19 cases and seven deaths.
A resident receives a dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in the outer Melbourne suburb of Melton Photo: AFP or licensors
NSW also recorded 552 hospitalisations, with 124 people in ICU.
It's the third consecutive day with infections below 300 and its second day with hospitalisations under 600.
The state government also announced it would spend up to $NZ553 million to provide every person in the state with a $50 voucher to spend on tourism accommodation.
The pilot program will run this year before vouchers are distributed statewide in March.
"This is all about turbo-charging our visitor economy," NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said.
Ayres said no sector had been hit harder during the pandemic than the tourism industry.
The government also allocated $NZ62 million to a fund to attract airlines back to NSW.
Another $NZ156 million will be allocated to support small, medium and large events in the city and in regional areas.
"This is about making sure that those events that might have fallen over in the last two years can get back on their feet," Mr Ayres said.
Meanwhile, NSW Health said it would resume non-urgent elective surgery at public and private facilities within Greater Sydney from Monday, 25 October.
Non-elective surgeries were paused in Greater Sydney public hospitals from 2 August and at private facilities from 23 August.
Victoria records 12 deaths as first flights arrive from NSW
The state of Victoria recorded 1841 new local cases and 12 deaths today as the first flights from New South Wales into Victoria for months touched down at Melbourne Airport.
Victoria has downgraded all red zones in New South Wales, meaning fully vaccinated travellers coming into the state will not have to quarantine.
Just two flights were due to arrive today from New South Wales, but that schedule is expected to change from Friday.
ACT case numbers remain low, three states record zero new cases
The ACT recorded 24 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases today with 20 people in hospital with the virus, including eight patients in intensive care.
The state's double dose vaccination rate stands at 82 percent.
Yesterday, the government announced a raft of changes to restrictions, including non-essential retail reopening from Friday, and travel permitted throughout New South Wales from 1 November.
Today, the government also announced vaccines would now be mandatory for disability support workers and in-home and community aged care workers in Canberra.
The mandate stipulates that workers will need to have received their first dose of a vaccine by 1 November, and their second by 29 November.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the new direction would protect some of Canberra's most vulnerable people.
"It's also really important that people continue to maintain strong hygiene and personal protective equipment measures, but having vaccinated people around vulnerable people in our community is also critical.
"That helps to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 in these high risk settings," Stephen-Smith said.
Meanwhile, there were no new Covid-19 cases in Queensland, Western Australia and Southern Australia today.
On re-opening flight routes within Australia, WA's Premier Mark McGowan said the state will only reopen to New South Wales and Victoria "when it's safe to do so".
- ABC
