Sign up, Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout. “People are encouraged to limit non-essential gatherings over the New Year period where possible to further minimise the risk of transmission in the community.”, To join the conversation, please Log in. SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney’s northern beaches will enter a lockdown similar to the one imposed during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March as a cluster of cases in the area increased to 41. All but two of those are from the so-called Avalon cluster, named after a community of about 10,000 people on the northern beaches about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from downtown Sydney. The Premier just said that NSW always acts on the precautionary principle. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye GerardSource:News Corp Australia, Despite this, when asked whether Sydney would enter a 10-day preventive lockdown, Ms Berejiklian told reporters: “Health advice doesn’t request it at this stage.”. Sydney's Northern Beaches entered lockdown on Saturday evening after the coronavirus cluster in the area grew to 40 cases overnight. The Anytime Fitness gym is seen in Avalon on Sydney’s northern beaches, Saturday, December 19, 2020. Authorities are temporarily providing free tests to anyone in the capital area regardless of whether they have symptoms or clear reasons to suspect infection. Instead he said NSW should instead opt for an “act fast, act early, beg for forgiveness later” approach which includes a citywide lockdown, mandatory mask wearing and reconsidering major events like hosting the 2021 Test Match between Australian and India. Most of those involved 14-day quarantine periods for people from the northern beaches who travel to those states. You can have a picnic of 10 people but only in a public place. This comes as several people on social media have called for Sydney to go into lockdown to stop the spread, with Dr Swan a vocal advocate. "It wouldn't be going too far to put Sydney in lockdown at the moment until you have this under control," Dr Miller told Today. The Northern Beaches area will now be in lockdown from 5:00pm today to midnight on Wednesday, with people being asked to stay at home unless for "essential reasons". From late Saturday afternoon until midnight Wednesday, residents will only be permitted to leave their homes for five basic reasons: medical care, exercise, grocery shop, work or for compassionate … Many Twitter users echoed his sentiments. This news comes amid fears of a new Croydon cluster in Sydney’s inner west. The gym adds to a lengthy list of venues, including a lawn bowling club, visited by confirmed cases published by authorities on Friday. Twenty-one … This means that no other snap lockdown has occurred, at least for now. NSW's Lockdown Rules to Stay in Place for At Least 90 Days. "Sydney may well have the best contact tracing in the country. The epidemic has infected nearly 1% of India’s more than 1.3 billion people, second to the worst-hit United States. New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the restrictions are essential if Sydney has any hope of a semi-normal Christmas. Skip to content. There’s no magic “force field” at the SCG. Coronavirus: Sydney prepares for second lockdown as 273 new cases confirmed in Vic We will change the settings in place.”. A Liberal MP for Sydney's northern beaches and ally of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has demanded an end to the lockdown that he says is killing restaurants in his … The infection map is growing, spreading like a … virus, at a time of year when we holiday and celebrate. Today, the beach is closed. “The data we get is ongoing information to us and if the health advice ever changes, I have demonstrated already my Government is quick to act. So please don't wait for the government to mandate it, just wear masks please. Twenty-three new cases were diagnosed overnight , however 10 of these were announced yesterday. An additional 34 close contacts have also been associated with the cluster, with a warning from the Premier that more cases will arise due to the “extended family’s movements”. And while you can go to the pub, you can’t order a drink at the bar. Authorities are still deciding whether to increase social distancing to maximum levels, fearing it may further strain the economy. Workers in logistics and in markets selling fresh meat and seafood would also be placed higher on the list of those receiving vaccines, along with the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. This news comes amid fears of a new Croydon cluster in Sydney’s inner west. In response to Wednesday’s 18 new cases, Ms Berejiklian has announced tighter restrictions for Greater Sydney which will come into effect from Wednesday midnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye GerardSource:News Corp Australia. A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. Sydneysiders in face masks in the city centre Chinatown on March 4. The NSW government spent $2 billion to fight the virus outbreak, including buying 2000 ventilators. Additional cases in the past 24 hours dropped to 25,152 from a peak of nearly 100,000 in mid-September. Fourteen COVID-19 patients died in the past 24 hours to bring the death toll to 659. As it currently stands, NSW Health “strongly recommend people wear masks while indoors and on public transport, at the supermarket, shops and at entertainment venues if physical distancing of 1.5m is unable to be maintained”. Sydney's northern beaches will enter a lockdown similar to the one imposed during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March as a cluster of cases in the area increased to more than 40. Wednesday’s figures reported six new coronavirus cases that were linked to three families in the area. SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney’s northern beaches will enter a lockdown similar to the one imposed during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March as a cluster of cases in the area increased to 41. Restaurants, pubs, clubs and cafes will be forced to close. “The precautionary principle is act fast, act early, beg for, forgiveness later because there nice prizes for being late to this party,” he said. As well as the four hard and fast rules set by the Federal Government to enforce better social distancing, NSW has a broader, more detailed set of 16 rules as part of an official public health order issued by NSW Health. The reasons permitted for leaving home are work, for compassionate ground, for exercise and for shopping. Asia Today: Sydney beach suburbs in lockdown as cases rise Sydney’s northern beaches will enter a lockdown similar to the one imposed during … If so, on the basis of the numbers and locations, now is the time for a Greater Sydney lockdown,” tweeted Dr Swan, who is also the host of Radio National’s Health Report. Thousands of people have been lining up at testing centers in front of Seoul City Hall and other public spaces as health authorities expand a massive testing program to detect more virus carriers. Those living in Greater Brisbane will be placed into lockdown from 5pm today for three days after a cluster of COVID-19 cases grew by four overnight. Sydney News Co. Sydney News Co. – Features the latest local news, business, luxury, lifestyle, local events for Sydney … Sydney remains on tenterhooks as rising coronavirus cases evoke the spectre of a renewed lockdown. The new cases came as health officials asked hundreds of gym goers on Sydney’s northern beaches to get tested and isolate immediately. Wednesday’s figures reported six new coronavirus cases that were linked to three families in the area. Australia in Lockdown for at Least 6-Months : Moves to ban travel, lock down Sydney suburbs and NSW towns to stop the Covid-19 spread. Instead, the Premier called for increased testing and asked residents to follow the public health orders. An additional 23 cases were recorded in the 24 hours, including 10 already announced, taking the new cases to 41. — China says it will soon begin coronavirus inoculations for workers in health care, transport and border control. All times AEST (GMT +10). The cliff walk is closed. Officials say at least six have died at their homes or long-term care facilities because hospitals ran out of beds. The only way Sydney can avoid a full blown second wave is to do an immediate 2 week hard lockdown. “We’re also relying on people exercising their common sense and not putting themselves in a situation which makes them or their family member vulnerable.