- NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian extends Sydney’s lockdown for another two weeks ‘at least’ amid 97 new local cases of COVID-19
- The state’s daily COVID-19 case numbers are steadily rising despite lockdown being in effect for close to three weeks now
- Ms Berejiklian said schools will remain closed over the coming fortnight, while residents in Sydney’s southwest are being urged to stay home even for work
- The area is a hotspot for new COVID-19 cases and as a result, all essential workers will be asked to get tested for COVID-19 every three days
- Victoria recorded seven new cases of COVID-19, with one of the infected persons attending the MCG during an AFL game at the weekend
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has extended Sydney’s lockdown for another two weeks amid 97 new local cases of COVID-19.
Premier Berejiklian announced the news on Wednesday, stating the lockdown would need to run for another fortnight at least.
“Based on the health advice I said I would provide information on the lockdown. And it always hurts to say this, but we need to extend the lockdown for at least another two weeks,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“That includes upon learning. We will assess the situation at the end of those two weeks and provide information beyond that.”
NSW’s daily case numbers have been steadily rising, hitting a high of 112 cases on Monday, before dropping to 89 cases yesterday.
Ms Berejiklian explained of the 97 new cases recorded today, 24 had been out in the community while infectious.
The state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said many of these new cases were originating in Sydney’s southwest.
“Of today’s cases, the vast majority were in south-western Sydney. Seventy are from south-western Sydney local health district and most of these are from the local government area of Fairfield,” Dr Chant said.
As a result, the Premier and CHO were urging everyone in the area to stay at home, even for work.
From this weekend, essential workers will be required to take a COVID-19 test every three days in a bid to stop the virus from spreading further.
“Please know that if you have symptoms, you shouldn’t be going to work, you should be getting tested and going home until you get the help and advice,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“But if you are a worker who has no symptoms, and you are carrying out essential work, it’s okay for you to get tested where your work base is, near your workplace, to take pressure off the testing clinics in the local government area.”
In neighboring Victoria, seven new cases of COVID-19 were recorded today from two separate chains of transmission.
An additional case was also reported overnight in Melbourne, but authorities said all of the cases were either linked to a family who moved from Sydney to Victoria, or to the family removalists.
Additionally, health authorities in the state confirmed one of the new cases attended an AFL match at the MCG at the weekend, with the venue listed as an exposure site.