Gladys' Christmas lockdown reprieve starts TODAY – here's what you can and can't do with your family in Sydney in the next three days
A three-day reprieve for locals locked down on the Northern Beaches will begin today as Sydneysiders prepare for a very different Christmas.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Wednesday she would relax restrictions for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day following a surprise coronavirus outbreak in Avalon.
The mystery Northern Beaches cluster emerged just a week ago and rose to 97 total cases on Wednesday.
A Sydneysider wears a face mask while doing last minute Christmas shopping in the CBD on Wednesday
A shop assistant wears a face mask and santa had while serving a customer in Sydney on Tuesday
The Northern Beaches is being split into two sections at the Narrabeen Bridge, with those in the northern section suffering harsher Christmas restrictions
Ms Berejiklian said Greater Sydney residents will be allowed 10 adults plus children under 12 to visit their homes over the three-day holiday period, before the 10-person visitor cap once again includes children from 27 December.
Gatherings of up to 100 are still allowed outside in a public place such as at a beach or a park, except in the Northern Beaches where they are banned.
The Northern Beaches is being split into two sections at the Narrabeen Bridge, and east of the Bahá'í temple on Monda Vale Road.
The northern section - where the Covid-19 outbreak emerged - will battle tougher restrictions over the three-day Christmas period.
They are not allowed to leave or welcome people from outside the area but will be allowed five visitors to their homes on December 24, 25 and 26 before lockdown rules banning home visits resume.
Those south of the Narrabeen Bridge cannot leave the Northern Beaches but can welcome 10 visitors into their homes for the three days - including people from anywhere in NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Wednesday she would relax restrictions for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day following a surprise coronavirus outbreak in Avalon
Greater Sydney residents will be allowed 10 adults plus children under 12 to visit their homes over the three day holiday period, before the 10-person visitor cap once again includes children from 27 December. Pictured: A shop assistant in Sydney on Tuesday
How has the virus escalated in Sydney?
17 December: 3 cases
18 December: 15 cases
19 December: 23 cases
20 December: 30 cases
21 December: 15 cases
22 December: 8 cases
23 December: 8 cases
Total: 102 cases with 97 linked to Avalon cluster
The government will decide on Boxing Day if residents south of the Narrabeen Bridge will go back into lockdown on 27 December.
Despite the relaxation of restrictions, Ms Berejiklian urged older residents to think carefully about entering the Northern Beaches.
'I would say that anybody who is over the age of about 70, or anyone with other health issues or co-morbidities, should think seriously about whether or not they have people into their homes.
'If they do, try and do it outside in the fresh air, perhaps on a balcony, perhaps outside somewhere, so that you minimise the risks,' she said.
Pubs and clubs are still closed in the Northern Beaches, with residents only permitted to leave their homes for a limited set of reasons.
Restrictions for regional NSW remain unchanged.
All people on the Northern Beaches have been told to avoid visiting aged care facilities, while those in Greater Sydney have been advised to take extreme care.
Thousands of people will continue to self-isolate over Christmas after visiting a venue at the same time as a Covid-19 positive case.
Pictured: Northern Beaches locals are seen walking past closed shops in Manly Corso on Tuesday
NSW RESTRICTIONS FOR DECEMBER 24-26
NORTHERN BEACHES PENINSULA ZONE (NORTH OF NARRABEEN BRIDGE AND EAST OF BAHA'I TEMPLE):
* Visits to other homes allowed within the zone
* Up to five visitors allowed, including children, as long as they live in the same zone
* People cannot enter or leave the zone, unless for four reasons already in place
* On December 27 the region will revert to existing restrictions
NORTHERN BEACHES ZONE SOUTH OF NARRABEEN BRIDGE:
* Visits allowed to other homes within the zone
* Up to 10 visitors allowed, plus children 12 and under. Can include people from outside the zone excluding the northern beaches peninsula
* People who live outside the northern beaches can visit
* Residents cannot leave the zone, unless for four reasons already in place
* Restrictions to be reassessed after Boxing Day
GREATER SYDNEY, THE CENTRAL COAST, WOLLONGONG AND NEPEAN BLUE MOUNTIANS:
* Current restrictions due to expire at midnight on Wednesday will remain in place
* Children 12 and younger will be allowed on top of the current 10 visitors cap for homes
* On December 27 the region will revert to existing restrictions
* Restrictions for regional NSW remain unchanged
SOURCE: AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS