Premier Dominic Perrottet has joined Joe Hildebrand straight after the snap National Cabinet meeting.

Mr Perrottet says “we made some good changes today” in relation to COVID policy.

In relation to the definition of close contacts, he says NSW is behind the drive to reduce it to household contacts only and making isolation periods just seven days.

“It’s a more balanced approach, I think. It’s an approach that suits the circumstances of the time.”

He added an easing of rules for international arrivals will be welcomed.

“From our state’s perspective, to move away from overseas travellers requiring to be PCR-tested on return, we’ll move to a rapid antigen test there.

“That will alleviate substantial pressure on the system.”

On dropping QR codes and contact tracing, Mr Perrottet says while they’ve played an important role in the last 18 months, the strategy needs to change.

“As we learn to live alongside the virus, the utility of those QR codes will continue to dissipate.”

Press PLAY below to hear Dominic Perrottet’s updates in full 

Australia will move to a new definition of a close contact and testing rules will change in a bid to cut wait times for COVID-19 testing and results.

The new definition of a close contact is a household contact or household-like contact who has spent four or more hours in a household or accommodation setting with a positive case.

Under the new rules, positive cases must isolate for seven days from their positive result and return a negative rapid antigen test on day six, prior to exiting isolation.

Close contacts who are asymptomatic must also isolate for seven days from exposure to the positive case and must return a negative rapid antigen test on day six. Close contacts who have symptoms should get a PCR test.

The new rules will come into effect in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT at midnight.

Tasmania will follow on 1 January and the NT and WA are yet to make announcements on how they’ll proceed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the changes “ensure we are recalibrating in the right way so Australia can continue to live with this virus. That is our objective”.