Under new regulations, NSW residents will have to report their rapid antigen test results on the Service NSW app or face a $1,000 fine.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made the announcement today (January 12) as the state reported 21 deaths and 34,759 new cases of Covid-19 overnight.
The results will need to be backdated and anyone who tested positive since January 1 will need to log their results.
Fines will not be enforced until January 19, but the registration service has launched today and is active through the Service NSW app.
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Perrottet acknowledged that the mandate is hard to enforce, but said without it being mandatory people would be 'discouraged' from registering their results.
He believes NSW residents will do the right thing and upload their results on the service.
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said more than 2,900 people have already registered their RAT.
"For those people that don't have a Service NSW app, you can also go to the Service NSW website, and access the form there," Mr Dominello said.
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"Alternatively, you can go and call Service NSW and they will provide assistance."
Residents are also able to upload results for dependents and interstate travellers can register a guest account.
Hospitalisations in NSW are on the rise, with 2,242 people in hospital and 175 in ICU.
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NSW currently does not report rapid tests for official daily numbers, but Victoria and Queensland both do.
RAT reporting was made mandatory at a federal level at the request of Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard told the Sydney Morning Herald: "There has been much discussion regarding the possibility of mandatory enforcement and the health lawyers are consulting with Crown Solicitor's to look at what may be possible
"It comes with the added benefit that it might also open the door to federal financial assistance if you're off work for the week. The bottom line is it is a must-do, even if there is no fine.
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"At the end of the day, it's an obligation on all of us to make sure that we log in to the Service NSW app, particularly as it will give a clear picture of how the virus is moving through the community."
Chant said that without RAT results being reported experts are unable to get a clear idea of how Covid-19 is moving through the community.
Featured Image Credit: Daniel Beckemeier / Alamy Stock Photo
