E-Paper
Covid testing expanded in Sydney’s northern beaches amid cluster
“It is absolutely vital everyone immediately comes forward for testing if they have even the slightest of Covid-19 symptoms,” the state’s health department said.
Health authorities expanded testing for the coronavirus in Sydney to help contain a growing Covid-19 outbreak in the city’s Northern Beaches area. There are more than 300 Covid-19 testing locations across New South Wales, the state’s health department said in a Twitter post on Sunday. Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and other officials are scheduled to hold a press briefing at 11am Sunday.
“It is absolutely vital everyone immediately comes forward for testing if they have even the slightest of Covid-19 symptoms,” New South Wales Health said.
Restrictions will be imposed across Sydney to arrest a growing coronavirus outbreak that’s disrupting interstate travel and scuppered the nation’s premier yacht race.
Authorities in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, will limit gatherings in homes and entertainment venues from midnight Sunday after 30 community-acquired Covid-19 cases were recorded in the 24 hours through 8 p.m. Saturday, state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney.
At least 28 of the new cases were linked to a growing cluster of infections in the city’s Northern Beaches area that stands at 66. Twenty-three community-acquired Covid-19 cases were reported the day before, prompting at least three states to impose restrictions or border measures on travelers from Sydney to prevent the coronavirus spreading ahead of Australians gathering to celebrate the Christmas holiday season.
“Whilst the numbers are higher today than yesterday, the one positive is we still have not seen evidence of massive seeding outside of the Northern Beaches community,” Berejiklian said. “And our aim, of course, is to keep that in place.”
The new outbreak caused the cancellation of the 2020 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 76-year-old race is the country’s most prestigious yachting event and was scheduled to start from Sydney on Dec. 26.
Household gatherings in metropolitan Sydney will be limited to 10 visitors until at least 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, the New South Wales Health department said.
Indoor settings including hospitality venues and places of worship will be limited to one person per 4 square meters (43 square feet), with a maximum of 300 people. Singing and chanting at indoor venues will also be barred.
Stay at home orders for residents in the Northern Beaches Local Government area will also continue until midnight Wednesday.
“We realize the effect this will have on residents and venues, and hope to lift the cap and restrictions as soon as possible,” Berejiklian said. “But we must take this action now to ensure we keep on top of this outbreak.”
Australia’s New South Wales recorded 30 new coronavirus cases overnight on Sunday, the state’s Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, as an outbreak in the city’s northern beaches suburbs continues to grow.
Of the new cases, 28 were directly linked to the cluster in the suburbs and two were under investigation, Berejiklian said.
