SYDNEY, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) – A cluster of COVID-19 cases in the northern region of Sydney, saw the city split in two for Christmas, with those in the original outbreak area forced to remain in lockdown.
The state of New South Wales (NSW), of which Sydney is the capital, recorded eight locally acquired cases today, seven of which were linked to the original outbreak, taking the total to 97.
From tomorrow through to Saturday, Sydneysiders will not be permitted to leave or enter the lockdown zone, which encompasses several suburbs in the city’s north, other than for essential reasons.
“If you’re a resident of the northern part of Northern Beaches … you cannot leave your area. You are still in lockdown,” NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said.
“You can’t accept anybody (from) outside your community and I apologise for that, but we have to maintain a lockdown in that area.”
Softer restrictions were placed on neighbouring region, allowing them to have visitors from the rest of Sydney, however, they too were not permitted to leave.
“We don’t want people from southern part of Northern Beaches, mingling in other parts of Sydney at this stage, but you can welcome people in,” Berejiklian said.
Existing restrictions remained in place for the rest of Sydney, allowing household gatherings of up to 10 adults, with the modest change of allowing children under 12, in addition to that number, over the Christmas period.– NNN-AGENCIES
