The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has announced that a protective mask mandate and density limits at hospitality venues will be reintroduced over the Christmas period from midnight Dec. 24, despite previously scrapping the requirement due to high vaccination rates. This comes as the number of daily COVID-19 cases in the state climbs to more than 5,000, which had already prompted the state to bring back QR check-in requirements. “As of midnight tonight, we will be requiring that masks are worn in indoor settings,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said, adding that the face mask requirement will be in place until Jan. 27. “We are encouraging people, particularly over the holiday period, if you can work from home, please work from home,” he said. Indoor hospitality venues will again have a density limit of one person per two square metres from Dec. 27 to Jan. 27. The premier also asked …