NSW Premier warns business and residents as coronavirus cases climb

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has pleaded with residents to follow the rules or risk another lockdown following daily rises in coronavirus cases. Coronavirus clusters in New South Wales continue to grow as more cases of the virus have been confirmed.

NSW has recorded 16 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.Of the new cases, one is an international traveller in hotel quarantine while the remaining cases are connected to known outbreaks.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian  urged people to avoid crowds on the weekend, and warned gatherings in homes and hospitality venues were the most risky.

She also said that there is no zone in the state that is safer than another after Newcastle residents were advised yesterday not to travel to Sydney.

"It doesn't matter where you live. The virus can transfer no matter where you are," said Ms Berejiklian.

The Premier said the "next few weeks are the most critical in NSW" and authorities would be cracking down on breaches of the public health order when restrictions tighten on Friday.

The next four weeks are the most critical for NSW since the coronavirus lockdown, Premier has warned.

"This is the most critical time for our state. If we manage to get on top of the community transmission at this stage, we have a much better chance of continuing to move forward in a positive way, but the next few weeks are critical," said Ms Berejiklian.

"We are not out of the woods by any stretch, quite the opposite. I hope I am not taking words out of Dr Chant's mouth, but both she and I remain concerned about the next few weeks."

Ms Berejiklian said businesses had "ample time" to adjust to the new policies.

"If you don't do the right thing from Friday… you will be fined — worse than that, if you breach again you will be shut down," Ms Berejiklian said.

She said her message to police was to strictly enforce all laws around restrictions.

“Please throw the book at anyone not doing the right thing,” she said.

She added any staff or patrons who witness venues not doing the right thing from Friday should alert authorities to take necessary action.