New South Wales records 21,030 new Covid cases and 29 deaths as Victoria reports 13,507 infections and 35 deaths – but the number of ICU patients fall in both states Another 21,030 coronavirus cases have been reported in NSW on Wednesday Premier Dominic Perrottet has extended current restrictions for another month NSW reaching a one millionth Covid-19 case with half reported in last two weeks By Brett Lackey For Daily Mail Australia and Aap Published: 22:05 GMT, 25 January 2022 | Updated: 22:12 GMT, 25 January 2022 Viewcomments NSW reported 21,030 new Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths on Wednesday - though the numbers of patients with serious symptoms in ICU has dropped from 183 to 175. The state is expected to report its one millionth coronavirus case of the pandemic, two years after the first cases were recorded in Australia. Half of those cases were added in the last two weeks and more than 90 per cent in the last two months of the Omicron wave 's ferocious spread after returning international travellers unknowingly brought the variant into the country. On Tuesday, Mr Perrottet announced reintroduced restrictions for mask use, hospitality density limits and bans on singing and dancing, due to end on Thursday, would be extended until the end of February in a bid to suppress the spread of Omicron as children return to classrooms. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) has assured residents hospitality and retail venues are safe to visit amid the Omicron wave Mr Perrottet said extending restrictions to February 28 was 'the right approach' as it would suppress the spread of Omicron ahead of increased movement once schools return next week, he said. 'It's better to have the two-square-metre rule than no square-metre rules and not having the confidence in the community to go out to restaurants and bars,' Mr Perrottet said. Under the continuing restrictions, hospitality venues including pubs, nightclubs and cafes will keep an indoor density limit, masks are required in all indoor settings except homes and QR code check-ins are compulsory at certain premises, including hospitality venues and shops. As NSW welcomed Australia Day 2022 the state is expected to report its one millionth Covid-19 case (pictured: the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday morning lit up with Indigenous art) The Premier said the decision would reassure the public that bars, cafes and retail were safe to visit. 'I believe the maintenance of these measures ... will actually drive economic activity, not impede it,' he said. Singing and dancing also remain banned in hospitality and entertainment venues except for performers. Mr Perrottet said his priority was returning children to classrooms next week and resuming non-urgent elective surgery in mid-February. The European Union on Monday declared Down Under a 'Covid danger zone' amid surging Omicron cases (pictured, a man is tested at Sydney International Airport) NSW Health reported 18,512 new cases on Tuesday - a rise of 3421- but the seven-day average lowered to 23,100. Six of the 29 people who died were unvaccinated, while two people had received three doses and all but one was older than 65. COVID-positive people in hospital hit a record 2943, but those requiring intensive care dropped by 13 to 183. Mr Perrottet has promised that businesses reeling from the effects of the Omicron wave will get fresh support within a week. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility