Remember back in March when we all agreed to stay home and ditch non-essential gatherings for a while? Well, if you’re in NSW, that time has come again, according to the state’s Deputy Chief Health Officer.
“People are urged to avoid non-essential travel and gatherings,” Dr Jeremy McAnulty told reporters.
“Of particular concern is transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, the gym and social gatherings.
“We are calling on people across the state to take extra care and follow these steps.”
Ne also announced that 18 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded in NSW in the last 24 hours.
As it stands, the laws currently permit up to 20 people to gather in homes. But McAnulty went a step further by recommending (recommending being the key word here) that private gatherings don’t exceed 10 people.
If by some stroke of luck you have between 10 and 20 friends who are all willing to put up with you and actually come over, you won’t get in trouble, but it’s not a great idea, health-wise.
In terms of going out, maybe get home delivery instead of eating at a restaurant. Have a drink on the couch instead of at the pub. The gym can wait.
Sydney in particular has seen quite a few cases of community transmission over the past week. Aside from that Crossroads Hotel cluster in Casula and the nearby Planet Fitness gym, several other venues have also had cases.
They include the Holy Duck! restaurant in Chippendale, Anytime Fitness in Merrylands and the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park. Even The Star casino had one patron who tested positive for COVID-19.
Victoria is already back under Stage 3 lockdown and has recorded the highest amounts of new cases to date, while COVID-19 cases in NSW are also on the upswing as restrictions are gradually being introduced. If we want to avoid the worst of the lockdowns, we need to start being cautious sooner rather than later.
As much as it sounds like déjà vu, it still needs to be said: if you’re not working, shopping or studying, stay the fuck at home.
