The three Covid-19 rules set to be scrapped as early as next week in NSW as Dominic Perrottet reveals the one measure he 'hates' Premier Dominic Perrottet hinted he would consider rolling back restrictions QR codes, face masks and isolation rules among possible early changes' Unvaccinated residents still have to wait until December 15 to enjoy freedom By Aidan Wondracz For Daily Mail Australia and Australian Associated Press Published: 00:30 GMT, 22 November 2021 | Updated: 00:30 GMT, 22 November 2021 Viewcomments QR codes, face mask mandates and isolation rules could be eased sooner than expected in NSW with the first changes made as early as next week. Premier Dominic Perrottet hinted on Sunday he would consider rolling back several restrictions earlier than he had planned to on December 15. The first possible change would be adjusting the isolation rules. Vaccinated close contacts will only need to isolate until they receive a negative Covid test rather than self-quarantine for seven days. The second change would be ditching QR code check-ins for low risk venues - such as shopping centres and cafes - while the third would be scrapping face masks. 'You know, I hate wearing masks as much as the next person,' Mr Perrottet said. QR codes, face mask mandates and isolation rules could be eased sooner than expected in NSW with the first changes made as early as next week The second change would be ditching QR code check-ins for low risk venues - such as shopping centres and cafes High-risk zones such as gyms, weddings, and pubs will continue to use the QR codes until well into next year. Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said he was happy to eventually phase out the online check-ins. 'We are still living in pandemic conditions and the technology continues to play an important role in assisting contact tracers,' he said. 'I am optimistic we can retire the use of QR codes in lower risk settings... subject to case numbers and vaccination rates.' QR code check-ins have been a widespread success with rates increasing drastically over the past two months. There were 168 million check-ins recorded in September and 240 million in October. More than 700,000 alerts were sent via the app during the first three weeks of October. Mr Perrottet says unvaccinated people will not be granted freedoms any earlier than December 15 despite thousands rallying against vaccination requirements. 'All of these measures are not tailored for rules for the sake of the government, they are tailored to keep people safe and that's what we're focused on,' Mr Perrottet said in Sydney on Sunday, the day after unmasked protesters descended on the city. NSW recorded 176 new local COVID-19 cases and two deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday. The first possible change would be adjusting the isolation rules and reducing the quarantine window period An unvaccinated women in her 40s died at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a fully-vaccinated man in his 80s died at Liverpool Hospital. Both had underlying health conditions. The state is inching closer to the 95 per cent mark for first-dose vaccinations, with 94.4 per cent of residents over 16 years stepping forward for at least one jab. Some 91.8 per cent are fully vaccinated. NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said there had been multiple cases in schools across the state. 'We are urging parents to remain really vigilant to help protect the rest of the school community,' he said on Sunday. 'Symptoms in children can be quite mild and not obvious so if they get any symptoms at all please take your children to a testing clinic.' Mr Perrottet says unvaccinated people will not be granted freedoms any earlier than December 15 despite thousands rallying against vaccination requirements Thousands of protesters staged anti-vaccination rallies around Australia with demonstrations breaking out in Sydney Two Sydney schools and one in Newcastle remain closed due to COVID outbreaks. Of the 12- to 15-year age group, 75.3 per cent are fully vaccinated and 81 per cent have received at least one vaccine. The new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday were diagnosed from 55,330 tests. Some 192 people are hospitalised with the virus and 32 are in intensive care, 15 of whom required ventilation. At least 104 of Sunday's cases were in Sydney, while Hunter New England was the regional health district with most new cases, recording 32. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility