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Health

Sydney news: NSW to push to end COVID-19 isolation at national cabinet

Here's what you need to know this morning.

Premier wants to end COVID-19 isolation

Premier Dominic Perrottet says he will be pushing to have mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods scrapped when he meets with national cabinet later today.

Mr Perrottet praised the work of cabinet but said it was important the community learned to live with the virus.

"We need to get to the point where we move away from public health orders and get to a point, whereby, if you're sick, you stay at home and if you're not sick, you get out and about and enjoy life," he said.

"I will continue to argue [for that] and work with my fellow premiers across the country to get to that point."

Last month, national cabinet reduced the number of days most people who test positive for COVID-19 need to isolate from seven to five.

Opposition demands toll relief ahead of weekend price hike

New South Wales Labor is calling for more toll relief to be offered by the state government as prices on seven motorways go up again this weekend.

The increase means five motorways' tolls have risen by 6 per cent this year, in part due to inflation.

Cars travelling on the Westlink M7 will need to pay $9.05 in tolls, while drivers on the NorthConnex or Hills M2 will have to pay $8.90.

Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham says drivers are already being squeezed by high petrol prices.

"These toll increases are locked into contracts and locked into contracts for four decades,” he said.

"Some households in Western Sydney are paying $6,000 a year and that's simply too high to pay, given the other costs that are now rising."

Dentists urge parents to use the $1K benefit for kids

As cost-of-living pressures increase, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) New South Wales is reminding parents to take up the $1,000 allocated to children through the dental benefits scheme.

Every two years, children are allocated $1026 to use on general dental services and, on December 31, 2022, the funds will expire.

Many New South Wales dentists report low uptake of the benefit scheme.

“Our advice is to book your child into your local dentist in the next few months, and before the end of the year, and do make sure, if eligible, you use the government’s Child Dental Benefits allowance or lose it," ADA NSW president Michael Jonas says

Latest studies show 27 per cent of children aged five to 10 years have untreated tooth decay in their baby teeth and 32 per cent of children aged 15 and up have untreated tooth decay.

Grand final rivalry for the field

As the Parramatta Eels lace up to face the Penrith Panthers, police have reminded fans to keep the rivalry friendly.

More than 80,000 fans are expected to watch the two teams clash during Sunday's NRL grand final at Sydney Olympic Park.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said a police operation would be rolled out in the city's south-west.

"Those who choose to do the wrong thing will be dealt with swiftly. This could mean ejection from the ground and/or banning notices, with fines, or even criminal charges," Assistant Commissioner Smith said. 

"Spectators need to be considerate of others during post-match celebrations and, whether your team wins or loses, there is no excuse for violence, intimidation or anti-social behaviour.

"To anyone celebrating across the state, I'd like to remind you to drink responsibly, know your limits, and keep an eye on your mates." 

Gates will open at the grounds at 1pm. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm AEDT.

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