- Sydney and Melbourne remain in lockdown, as the Delta strain of COVID-19 continues to spread across Australia’s East Coast
- The NSW town of Tamworth will be placed in lockdown from tonight, after a COVID-19 positive case travelled to the area recently
- Byron Bay is also on notice, after a man tested positive to the virus, one of 283 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in NSW today
- Victoria recorded 11 new cases of the virus, while authorities announced regional areas in the state will come out of lockdown at midnight
- Melbourne residents remain in lockdown, alongside those living in the Queensland city of Cairns, which recently entered a three-day lockdown
Around 10 million residents across Sydney and Melbourne remain in lockdown, as the Delta strain of COVID-19 continues to spread across Australia’s East Coast.
NSW
The regional NSW town of Tamworth was the latest area to be placed in lockdown, after a COVID-19 positive person from Newcastle travelled to the area.
The new restrictions in Tamworth and surrounding areas were due to come in place from 5pm AEST on Monday, while Byron Bay was also on alert.
NSW authorities said a man in his 50s from Byron had tested positive for COVID-19 and locals in and around the area were being encouraged to get tested.
All up, 283 new local cases of the virus were recorded in NSW on Monday, along with another death — a woman in her 90s.
Health authorities revealed close to 350 people were in hospital in the state with COVID-19 and 67 of those people were fighting for life in intensive care.
VIC
Victoria recorded 11 new cases of the virus on Monday and Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed regional residents would come out of lockdown tonight.
Mr Andrews said there had been no new cases of COVID-19 in the regions and the restrictions would lift from midnight, meaning schools and pubs could reopen.
However, regional residents were being asked to avoid travelling into Melbourne as the city remains in lockdown.
Premier Andrews said the same advice was in place for Melbournians, who risk being fined if caught trying to travel into regional Victoria.
“No one from Melbourne should be going to the regions unless they have a valid reason,” Mr Andrews said.
QLD
Queensland recorded five new cases of the virus today, as residents in South East Queensland enjoyed their first day out of lockdown.
Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast had all been placed in lockdown after dozens of COVID-19 cases occurred in various schools in the area.
Those restriction were lifted at the weekend, but Cairns, in Far-North Queensland, was placed in lockdown after a man tested positive to the virus.
Health authorities said the taxi driver had been positive in the community for up to 10 days, prompting the three-day lockdown to come into effect.
State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said they were also keeping a close eye on the outbreak in Byron Bay.
“We are absolutely concerned about what is happening in New South Wales,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The further north the virus travels is alarming for us. So, we’ll be watching that incredibly carefully.”