'This is not a holiday': Premier's plea with public after easing restrictions
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has issued a stern warning about the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions on Friday amid concerns some will eye the change as the end to the state’s lockdown.
As of Friday, two adults will be able to visit another household of multiple residents in a relaxation of the stringent rules NSW residents have been subject to.
However, just a day after announcing the change, Ms Berejiklian stressed the remaining restrictions stood and it is vital they are adhered to.
“Please know this does not give you a licence to go beyond the rules. Please know how important it is for everyone to respect the rules we put in place,” she told reporters on Wednesday.
“This is not a holiday.”
Ms Berejiklian said the reason the move was made was to reduce social isolation and protect the mental health of isolated people.
But she stressed household visits still fell under care – one of the four essential reasons for leaving home alongside essential shopping, work and exercise.
“The fact you can visit another person's household is an extension of the definition of care,” she said.
“I want to make that point very specifically. I don't want to be in a situation where NSW has to go backwards.
“If everyone sticks to the rules and moves forward together, we don't have to go backwards.”
Her warning came as NSW recorded a further 11 cases after 5400 tests on Tuesday.
One of the new cases has an unknown source.
Two of the cases are members of staff at the troubled Anglicare Newmarch House aged care facility in Sydney’s west where 11 people have died from the virus.
Four of those deaths were announced on Tuesday.
The families of residents say they have been left in the dark over the situation at the facility, while Anglicare CEO Grant Millard admits it is likely there will be further deaths at Newmarch House.
Four-year-old in childcare tests positive
A four-year-old child was among the 11 new cases, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant confirmed on Wednesday.
The child attended Bright Minds Academy in Cranebrook for two days while infectious, Dr Chant said.
When Scott Morrison was pressed on the child’s case on Wednesday, he said there will “undoubtedly” be cases in children but the threat the coronavirus poses to younger Australians is much lower.
There are 3016 accumulative cases of coronavirus in NSW, with more than 2000 of those having recovered.
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