Sydney, Jan 7 (TIWN) As the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) is battling the latest Covid-19 outbreak, authorities on Friday reintroduced restrictions.

NSW, the current epicentre of the pandemic, reported 38,625 new cases and 11 deaths and there were 1,738 people in hospitals, 134 in intensive care, reports Xinhua news agency.  In response to surging Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations, some restrictions will be re-imposed in the state from Saturday.  NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet labelled the changes as 'minor' and 'proportionate' which would 'alleviate pressure on the hospital system and staff'.  Under the new rules, singing and dancing in pubs and nightclubs is banned and major events scheduled for coming weeks have to go through assessment of health authorities.