Sydney, Sep 17 (TIWN) The Covid-19 lockdown rules were slightly eased on Friday in Australia's New South Wales (NSW), the current epicentre of the pandemic, as the state capital Sydney entered the 12th week of restrictions.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian outlined some new initiatives in the state's battle against the virus, reports Xinhua news agency.  Among the new measures was a home quarantine trial to enable 175 fully vaccinated returned travellers to be quarantined at home rather than staying in a hotel.  The trial is expected to begin in the next few weeks as NSW moves towards opening its borders for international travel.  Berejiklian said the border opening would be considered once 80 per cent of eligible people in NSW are fully vaccinated.