Covid NSW: Everything you need to know about new restrictions

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has reintroduced some restrictions to prevent Covid-19 spreading outside of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

On Sunday, NSW confirmed 30 new coronavirus cases, of which 28 were linked to the Avalon cluster and two are from the Northern Beaches – but are still under investigation.

More than 28,000 Covid tests were carried out within a 24-hour period.

However, to prevent seeding outside of the Northern Beaches, Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains, have been slapped with new restrictions.

Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains will see tighter Covid restrictions until Wednesday. Source: AAP
Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains will see tighter Covid restrictions until Wednesday. Source: AAP

The Northern Beaches went into lockdown as of 5pm on Saturday – that lockdown will end on Wednesday at midnight and the health orders for Greater Sydney will apply until then.

“Everybody in the Greater Sydney area including the Blue Mountains and Central Coast, we ask you to not have more than 10 people in your home in addition to whoever lives in your home until midnight on Wednesday,” Ms Berejiklian said on Sunday.

She said this was a precaution as small areas and indoor settings can exacerbate the spread of the virus.

Public indoor venues, like hospitality venues and places of worship will also revert back to the four-square-metre rule, and capacity at venues will be capped at 300 in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains.

“Apart from your home, all indoor settings will now revert back to the four-square-metre rule across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast,” Ms Berejiklian said.

There is also no singing and chanting in public spaces, with the exception of places of worship, with just five people.

Dancing is also banned, with the exceptions of 20 people at weddings in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.

“This is, again, to prevent there being any seeding events outside the Northern Beaches cluster,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The premier also stressed there is no need to panic buy, supermarkets will remain open.

People urged to wear masks, still no mandate

As of right now, there is no mask mandate, though Ms Berejiklian, along with Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant urged people to wear masks.

“Even if you live beyond the Northern Beaches, you should be wearing a mask indoors,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“If you are going grocery shopping anywhere in New South Wales please wear a mask. If you are going to a place of worship anywhere in NSW please wear a mask.

“If you're going into an indoor setting or anywhere where social distancing can't be maintained, please wear a mask.”

Mr Hazzard acknowledged some people cannot wear a face mask for health reasons, but asked for those who can to wear them at least for the next few days.

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