Wagga shoppers, diners and pub patrons will face another month of mask rules, QR code sign-ins and customer density limits.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet had signalled that only QR codes would return, but the government changed course after NSW Health recorded more than 5700 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 80 per cent of which were from the more infectious Omicron variant.

From 12.01am on Friday, masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including for hospitality staff and in offices, unless eating or drinking.

From first thing on Monday morning, QR code check-ins will be compulsory, including for hospitality and retail venues.

Hospitality venues, including pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes will move to a one person per two square metre rule indoors, with no density limit for outdoor settings.

The mask, QR code and density rules will remain in place until January 27.

Mr Perrottet said these measures would help ease the strain on the NSW health system and keep the community safe until more people could get their booster shots.

"We said we would tailor our settings as the situation evolved and these steps will help take the pressure off our health system, so the people who need care can access it," Mr Perrottet said.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District recorded 23 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday, up from 17 new cases the previous day.

Member for Wagga Joe McGirr said the new rules were "sensible". "Given the jump in cases, it's sensible to have some sort of mask mandate; it's not going back to lockdown," Dr McGirr said.

The MLHD has yet to update its list of new COVID-19 cases in each council area, but unofficial tallies of statewide data suggest that nine of the 23 new cases yesterday were within Wagga City Council's boundaries.

Dr McGirr said he did not know if unofficial COVID tracking services were accurate but he had heard of more cases being diagnosed in the city.

"It doesn't surprise me, as I have had anecdotal reports of positive cases in a number of different locations and, frankly, that is a concern," he said.

"I've been saying to people 'please wear a mask' and this decision to mandate the masks probably comes in the nick of time for Wagga."

Dr McGirr said he backed the NSW government's decision as the Omicron variant threatened to overwhelm the health system even though vaccines have proven effective.

"Clearly, with the vaccine being effective we are not seeing the same numbers of people in hospital or intensive care units, but because the numbers of infections are so great, over time we would see the number of hospitalisations increase," he said.

"We have got an increasing number of health staff who are close contacts and have to isolate for seven days and that puts pressure on the health system, so we have got to slow the spread and I think the masks will help, plus the social distancing and QR code and so forth."

Business NSW Murray-Riverina regional manager Anthony McFarlane said Wagga shoppers had been "appreciative" to have eight days of pre-Christmas shopping while masks were optional, but he did support the new rules.

"It's a sensible decision based on the dramatic increase in case numbers. What we have seen throughout this pandemic is that government decisions on restrictions do impact on consumer confidence and that impact is yet to be seen over this holiday period," he said.

"Although given businesses and consumers are used to masks and QR codes, I think the impact will be minimised."

The NSW government has also asked people to reduce mingling where they can, including when eating and drinking, work from home where possible and hold events outside.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said extending QR check-in requirements will remind people that if they receive a notification they should be tested if they feel unwell.

Mr Hazzard said people should also get tested if they are directed by NSW Health or if they have symptoms.

The NSW government will also procure Rapid-Antigen Test kits and make them available for free to people across the state, to give additional options to people and allow those who need to get a PCR test at a clinic to do so.

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