Restrictions come in to place as one new case in Sydney

Restrictions come in to place as one new case in Sydney

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a slate of new restrictions in greater Sydney over the next three days, after the wife of a coronavirus-infected man tested positive. 

The latest coronavirus case is the wife of a man in his 50s, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, who tested positive to the virus yesterday. The man’s other nine contacts have so far tested negative.

They are among more than 11,500 people who were tested for COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

From 5pm today until 12am on Monday, no more than 20 people will be allowed in the home, singing or dancing will not be permitted at indoor venues and residents across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Central Coast are asked to wear a mask when at an indoor venue or on public transport. 

“We recommend if you’re in a position to be able to adopt these changes from now, from upon hearing of them and learning of them, please make sure you do that,” the Premier told reporters.

“We’ve been careful not to impact unnecessarily businesses and others who might have already made arrangements over the weekend but we ask citizens and workers to be extra cautious and adopt compulsory mask wearing.” 

She also announced that the original source of the man's infection and the "likely way, or potential way that it may have been transmitted" as been identified.

What we're doing is a very precautionary response in the next three days.  It's actually very proportionate.

Unlike other premiers, we're not shutting down the city. We're not changing the two square metre rule. Quite the contrary.

We're saying to everybody business as usual but just do a few things extra to make sure that until we identify those cases.

The Premier said other states should "absolutely not" shut their borders to NSW.

"Oh, look, we are not shutting down anything in NSW, so any other premier shouldn't even think about that, absolutely not," Ms Berejiklian said.

"But can I make this point again and very clearly: it is business as usual for all of us over the next three days in greater Sydney. But we are asking people just to take extra precautions if you have a booking for Mother's Day, go to the booking, go to the restaurant. If you have a family gathering at home, that's great, but just limit it to 20 people.

"And if you are using public transport to go to a footy match or another event please wear a mask on public transport."

The following will be enforced for greater Sydney (greater Sydney, the Illawarra and the Central Coast) from 5pm today until 12am on Monday morning:

  • No more than 20 people in the home.
  • No singing or dancing in indoor venues, including places of worship and entertainment venues (exception is weddings).
  • Workers in hospitality venues will have to wear a mask.
  • Wear a mask if you're at an indoor venue or catching public transport.
  • Anyone going to a bar and drinking should be seated.
  • Only two visitors allowed per resident in aged care facilities.