NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that Sydney’s Northern Beaches will be locked down from 5pm today to midnight Wednesday, in an attempt to contain the COVID-19 cluster that has sprung up in the area in recent days, the source of which remains unknown.
Addressing the media this morning, Berejiklian confirmed that there were 13 new COVID-19 infections detected overnight. The number of new cases is likely to grow in coming days. Outlining the new round of restrictions, she told reporters:
“We are going to put in health orders for the Northern Beaches from 5 o’clock today to essentially go back to the restrictions people experienced in March, in relation to only leaving your home if it is for essential purposes such as for work, for compassionate grounds, for exercise or to go shopping.”
She continued:
“Essentially, we will be going back to the restrictions that were in place back in March, just for the Northern Beaches, for the local government area of the Northern Beaches. But we want to stress it is OK to go out and exercise, it is OK to go essential shopping, do not panic buy, please. You can go shopping any time, it is OK to go out for work, or compassionate grounds including emergency medical treatment or to visit an isolated relative.”
Residents of the Northern Beaches area have been advised to monitor for even the mildest of symptoms and come forward for testing immediately if they appear, then isolate until a negative result is received.
NSW Health has also issued a strong advisory for all people in the local government area to wear a mask at all times when in indoor areas, and to stay at home.
**UPDATED OPENING TIMES FOR COVID-19 TESTING CLINICS ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES**
NSW Health continues to increase COVID-19 testing options for the Northern Beaches community. pic.twitter.com/ov93zu23Es
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 18, 2020
NSW Health has also issued a public health alert for those who attended the Anytime Fitness gym on Avalon Parade in Avalon. A known case of COVID-19 attended the gym over several days while infected, and a number of other attendees will be identified as close contacts and required to isolate for 14 days.
The gym is closed and there are fears that the number of potential contacts may be in the hundreds.
The list of dates can be seen below via NSW Health:
These days were:
• Saturday 12 December
• Friday 11 December
• Tuesday 8 December
• Monday 7 December
• Sunday 6 December— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 18, 2020
