Gladys Berejiklian brings in a raft of new restrictions as NSW records 44 new cases including 29 active in the community - and warns the lockdown is set to be extended again with WORSE spikes yet to come
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has brought in a raft of tough new social distancing restrictions in a desperate bid to contain the highly contagious Delta strain after Sydney recorded another 44 local cases of Covid-19 overnight.
An increasingly worried Ms Berejiklian warned the community to brace for worse case spikes in coming days and flagged the city's now-three week lockdown was unlikely to be lifted by July 16.
Of particular concern is that 29 of the cases were out in the community for either the entire time they were contagious or part of their infectious period.
The 44 new cases is the largest daily increase in infections since April 2020, with 21 found in south-west Sydney where police have stepped up controls to enforce lockdown compliance.
There are 10 COVID-19 patients in NSW in intensive care; four of them are being ventilated.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant - who appeared shocked by the spike in cases - said one of the patients in the ICU was only in their 20s.
From 5pm on Friday evening, Greater Sydney residents can travel only 10km from their homes to exercise and must not gather in groups of more than two while outside.
Sydneysiders are also banned from carpooling with anyone they don't live with when going out for exercise to prevent the spread of the virus in confined spaces.
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Only one member of each household meanwhile will be allowed to leave the home per day to shop for essential items.
The NSW premier said she was also making the 'heartbreaking' decision to limit funeral gatherings to 10 attendees from Sunday.
Ms Berejiklian claimed the rapid spread of the Delta variant and the fact only nine per cent of NSW residents are vaccinated against Covid-19 gave her no option other than tightening Sydney's stay-at-home-orders.
'New South Wales is facing the biggest challenge we have faced since the pandemic started and I don't take it lightly,' she said.
'Unless there is a dramatic change, unless there is a dramatic turnaround in the numbers, I can't see how we would be in a position to ease restrictions by next Friday.'
She added the number of cases who were infectious in the community would have to reach zero before she would consider easing the hard lockdown.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW RESTRICTIONS IN GREATER SYDNEY
From 5pm on Friday:
- Residents can travel only 10km from their homes
- Exercise and gather in groups of two while outside
- Only one member of each household per day allowed to leave the home for essential shopping
- No browsing in supermarkets and retail businesses. Shop only for essential items
- Funerals capped at 10
- No car pooling with other households when going out for exercise
The new rules are in addition to the stay-at-home orders already in place until July 16, which include only leaving the home to:
shop for essential items (one person only)
give care and compassionate reasons (one visitor only)
exercise or for work or education that cannot be conducted remotely
Pictured: A woman trains in Rushcutters Bay Park on Wednesday. From 5pm on Friday, Greater Sydney's five million residents can only gather in groups of two while outside
Shoppers are pictured in Cabramatta in Sydney's south-west. Only one member of each household will be allowed to go out to shop for essential items from Friday evening
'We need to have zero people who have been infectious in the community because that tells us they still could be undertaken with strains of community transmission,' she said.
The state leader said the spread of the virus had now reached a point where the government's 'gold standard' contact tracing program could only do so much.
'We are now not only looking at areas where the transmission has occurred but trying to prevent any super-seeding events,' Ms Berejiklian said.
Another eight cases were also found in south-east Sydney and Dr Chant also warned residents in Sutherland, Carrillo, Sylvania, Hurstville and Maroubra to come forward for testing if they have even the slightest symptoms.
In western Sydney, she said those living in suburbs experiencing high levels of transmission such as Bossley Park, Smithfield, Fairfield, Glenfield, West Hoxton, St John’s Park, Bonnyrigg Heights and Casula should also stay on high alert.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was making the 'heartbreaking' decision to limit funeral gatherings to 10 attendees from Sunday
Who you can visit, where you can exercise and how you can care for your elderly family members: Everything you need to know about Sydney's new Covid restrictions
Can you still exercise outdoors?
Yes, but in reduced groups. Greater Sydney residents from Friday evening will only be allowed to exercise outdoors in groups of two - down from the 10 previously allowed.
The only exception to this rule is members of the same household already living together can exercise outdoors together.
How far can you travel to exercise?
Additionally locals can only travel within a 10km limit of their homes to exercise.
'Please do not leave your house. Do not leave your home, unless you absolutely have to,' Ms Berejiklian pleaded with Sydneysiders.
What about leaving the house for essential items?
Locals should only leave their house for essential supplies and should not browse, the premier said.
The premier also said only one member of a household should be traveling to the shops for essential items and carpooling especially with other households - whether to the shops or work - is not allowed.
Can you still travel to work?
Ms Berejiklian restated only people who need to travel for essential work should leave their house.
'Too many people who have continued to go to work, too many people have either misunderstood the rules or not followed them. And that has to stop.'
What about funerals and weddings?
Health officials have also made the decision to cap funerals at 10 attendees from Sunday.
Weddings were already prevented from going ahead early on in the lockdown.
How many people can you have at your house?
Only those providing essential care are allowed to visit another household.
'We are still getting questions through Service NSW about how many people you can have into your home. The answer is zero.' Ms Berejiklian said.
'I don't mean these words lightly, or say these words lightly. But we are facing the greatest threat that we have faced in New South Wales and the pandemic started. And it is up to all of us to turn things around'.
The announcement comes after Scott Morrison on Friday morning said he supported locking down Sydney until new local Covid-19 cases are eliminated amid reports some NSW cabinet ministers want to let the virus spread.
The shut down is due to end on July 16 but Premier Gladys Berejiklian has left the door open for another extension to eradicate the highly infectious Delta strain.
'We are still aiming for that date, don't get me wrong, but also know that is dependent on all of us doing the right thing,' she said on Thursday.
Asked if he backed extending lockdown to get cases down to zero, Mr Morrison said: 'If that's what's needed in this suppression phase and if that's what state government does, then of course.'
A man is arrested for failing to abide by stay at home orders in Fairfield in south-western Sydney on Friday morning
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Shoppers make a purchase at a local fish market along Chapel Road in Bankstown in western Sydney as lockdown entered its fourteenth day
Police patrol a shopping centre in Fairfield. There is an increased police presence in south-west Sydney to enforce lockdown
The virus is spreading south western Sydney and police have stepped up patrols in the area. Picture: Chapel Road in Bankstown
'We are still in the suppression phase. We were always going to still be in the suppression phase now,' he told the Today show on Friday morning.
Should NSW continue lockdown or let the virus rip now?
Should NSW continue lockdown or let the virus rip now?
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Only 9.8 per cent of Australian adults have had two doses of the vaccine, preventing the country from scrapping restrictions like the UK which has jabbed 65 per cent.
Police have stepped up patrols in the south-west Sydney area after the epicentre of the outbreak shifted away from where it began in he city's eastern suburbs.
Despite a plea for residents to get tested for Covid-19, testing centres in the area were largely empty on Friday morning.
On Thursday night the Sydney Morning Herald reported state cabinet was divided over whether to continue the lockdown or lift it and let the virus spread.
Three senior ministers told the publication the state was at a 'fork in the road' and the next three days 'would be critical.'
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Wednesday said if lockdown fails then the state must 'accept that the virus has a life which will continue in the community'.
Police are patrolling in the shopping district in the southwestern suburb of Fairfield on Friday morning to enforce lockdown
South Western Sydney residents in Bankstown appeared to be taking the lockdown seriously as streets were seen nearly deserted and most residents wore masks at the shop for essential items
Scott Morrison has supported locking down Sydney until new local Covid cases are eliminated amid reports some state cabinet ministers want to let the virus spread. Pictured: Shoppers make their way along Chapel Road in Bankstown
The Liverpool, Fairfield and Canterbury-Bankstown local government areas take in 110 suburbs. Pictured: The main shopping centre in Fairfield
The three areas where the virus is spreading are home to more than 820,000 residents and represents a 519 square kilometre swathe of the city. Pictured: Chapel Road in Bankstown
Mr Morrison said the federal government was working on what extra financial support it could deliver to New South Wales residents if lockdown goes into a fourth week. Pictured: Chapel Road in Bankstown
Bizarre moment NSW's chief medical officer uses her mask to wipe her eye bringing the daily Covid press conference to a halt
The New South Wales chief health officer temporarily stopped the Covid-19 press conference to use her face mask to wipe her eye.
Dr Kerry Chant had been providing the latest update on the Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney on Friday.
She then paused before wiping her right eye with her face mask, bringing the conference to a halt.
'Sorry, I have something in my eye,' she said.
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Dr Chant quickly realised she was using her face mask before apologising to the media.
'I should not be using my mask for that but, sorry,' she said. 'If I could just get a tissue and apologies for that.'
The chief health officer was then handed a tissue before she turned around to clear her eye.
'Sorry. Something was in my eye then. My apologies,' she said, turning back to face the media.
The New South Wales chief health officer has temporarily stopped the Covid-19 press conference to use her face mask to wipe her eye
Mr Hazzard backtracked on Thursday, saying opening up depends on vaccination rates - but Deputy Premier John Barilaro said Mr Hazzard meant what he said.
'The minister has been involved in this for 18 or 19 months, dealing with Covid-19, and he does not mince his words,' Mr Barilaro told Sunrise.
'He has said that, it is clear that in a week's time, we still may have community transmission and we may have to attack this differently, remembering that the Delta strain is a very different from the first strain, there is no rule book to work through. We make the best decisions on advice.'
The Prime Minster said he is not aware of any state ministers who want to abandon lockdown and let the virus rip through the community.
'At the discussions I've had with NSW cabinet ministers, that hasn't been relayed to me. So I don't know what these reports relate to,' he said.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Wednesday said if lockdown fails then the state must 'accept that the virus has a life which will continue in the community'. Pictured: Police in Fairfield on Friday
The Prime Minster said he is not aware of any state ministers who want to abandon lockdown and let the virus rip through the community. Pictured: Chapel Road in Bankstown
Only 9.8 per cent of Australian adults have had two doses of the vaccine, preventing the country from scrapping restrictions like the UK which has jabbed 65 per cent. Pictured: Police in south-west Sydney
Percentage who speak only English at home
Canterbury-Bankstown: 34.1%
Liverpool: 41.4%
Fairfield: 24.8%
Source: 2016 Census
Mr Morrison said federal health experts are advising him that it is too dangerous to live with the Delta strain - which is twice as infectious as the original Wuhan strain - and lockdown is necessary.
'That is the public health advice I'm receiving. I'm quite certain that's the public health advice that Gladys is receiving' he said.
Mr Morrison revealed he expects the state to continue its suppression strategy, saying: 'I believe that's what will happen in NSW.'
The Australian reported on Wednesday that NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottett opposed lockdown because of the damage it does to the economy.
Mr Perrottet refused to confirm that on Thursday, telling radio 2GB: 'My job is to advocate for businesses and keeping people in jobs and that's what I do.
'What I don't do is speak about the individual positions ministers take in relation to those discussions.
'The virus... is not going away. We have to learn to live alongside it.'
Senior NSW sources told the AFR that Mr Barilaro exaggerated Mr Perrottet's position when he leaked the story to The Australian.
'Dom is the treasurer. He should be trying to support the economy but for it to be leaked out of context shows how dangerous ''Barra'' is,' a source said.
Mr Morrison revealed he expects the state to continue its suppression strategy, saying: 'I believe that's what will happen in NSW.' Pictured: South-west Sydney on Friday morning
New South Wales Police have rejected the accusation that they are unfairly targeting the south-western suburbs
Mr Morrison said Mr Perrottet should 'come into line with the premier.'
He said the federal government was working on what extra financial support it could deliver to New South Wales residents if lockdown goes into a fourth week.
Greater Sydney residents who lose more than 20 hours of work a week can claim $500 a week from the federal government while those who lose fewer than 20 hours can claim $325.
Previously only people with less than $10,000 in their bank accounts could apply for the payment, but this requirement has been removed for lockdowns around the country that go on for more than three weeks.
It comes after the federal government struck a deal with Pfizer to bring millions of doses of Covid vaccine into the country earlier than planned to speed up the rollout.
Australia received 1.7 million Pfizer doses in June and it is expected to receive 2.8 million in July, and more than 4.5 million in August.
A butcher wears a mask whilst setting up a meat display at a local store along Chapel Road in Bankstown during lockdown
Australia secures earlier delivery of Pfizer vaccine
The federal government struck a deal with Pfizer to bring millions of doses of Covid vaccine into the country earlier than planned to speed up the rollout.
Australia received 1.7 million Pfizer doses in June and it is expected to receive 2.8 million in July, and more than 4.5 million in August.
Previously only 3million doses were expected in August.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister told Daily Mail Australia: 'From 19 July, Australia's Pfizer supply now plans to increase to approximately 1 million doses per week.
'This is compared to an average of 300,000 to 350,000 per week in May and June.
'Due to the nature of pandemic vaccine supply these numbers are subject to change and will be confirmed closer to the delivery date.'
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Previously only 3million doses were expected in August.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister told Daily Mail Australia: 'From 19 July, Australia's Pfizer supply now plans to increase to approximately 1 million doses per week.
'This is compared to an average of 300,000 to 350,000 per week in May and June.
'Due to the nature of pandemic vaccine supply these numbers are subject to change and will be confirmed closer to the delivery date.'
Police patrols will be ramped up in Sydney's Covid-riddled south-west from Friday morning to 'ensure compliance' with lockdown restrictions
DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA'S INTERACTIVE MAP OF COVID EXPOSURE SITES ACROSS SYDNEY
He later told Sky News: 'I just think we've got to work out a way to stop the virus coming in from hotel quarantine, it's a controlled area, that's where everyone's frustrated.
'Fairfield's a perfect example, an area that never had the virus, but the virus spreads.
'You need to contain it from its entry point, they need to put as much resources as possible to stop the virus coming in to play from the beginning.
'We had a nurse come from the inner-west and eastern suburbs come to Fairfield Hospital and contaminate one of our wards.
'We also had the West Hoxton cluster which came from the inner-city. That wasn't locked down or controlled and that spread across south-west Sydney.'