Greater Sydney restrictions to remain in place for another week

May 9, 2021 Ava

Covid restrictions in Sydney have been extended by a week as the state’s health tracers struggle to find the source of a mystery case.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Sunday all but one of the measures will remain in place until 12.01am on May 17.

‘As the ‘missing link’ case hasn’t been identified we’re keen to prevent a super-spreading event,’ she said.

‘All safeguards/restrictions will be in place for an extra week, except for shoppers in retail who will no longer be required to wear a mask.’

The restrictions were introduced on Thursday after an eastern Sydney man tested positive to Covid-19 on Wednesday.

Genomic sequencing revealed the man had the same virus as a returned traveller from the US who was staying in hotel quarantine, even though the pair had never come into contact with each other.

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Health authorities have been scrambling to find the missing link over fears of another outbreak.

The man aged in his 50s subsequently infected his wife but no other close contacts to date.

Household gatherings remain capped at 20 people, mask usage remains mandatory on public transport and indoor venues such as theatres and aged care homes, and singing and dancing remains mostly banned.

Hospitality patrons are still not permitted to drink while standing.

Dr Stephen Conaty praised residents for following health advice and getting tested for Covid-19.

‘NSW Health thanks the community for their strong response to calls for testing and continue to urge everyone in NSW with even the mildest symptoms – such as cough, headache, fatigue, sore throat or runny nose – to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until you receive a negative result,’ he said.

‘High testing rates are vital for detecting any unidentified chains of transmission in the community.’

NSW recorded zero new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday from more than 18,000 tests.

There were an additional six cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

One COVID-19 patient in NSW is currently in intensive care and on a ventilator.

Almost 780,000 vaccinations in total have been administered in NSW, which includes those overseen by the Commonwealth.

Sydneysiders were this week urged to wear masks and adhere to other restrictions without cancelling their Mother’s Day plans.

Liquor and Gaming NSW on Saturday also urged businesses to do the right thing over the weekend, with compliance officers out in force on Sunday.

Businesses can be fined up to $5000 and forced to shut their doors for defying COVID rules, including the requirement all patrons check in.

Restrictions to remain in place

New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Sunday restrictions would remain in place across Greater Sydney until 12.01am on May 17.

The only difference will be that shoppers will no longer have to wear face masks in retail centres.

Below is a list of restrictions that will continue throughout the week:

1) No more of 20 guests per household.

2) No dancing at nightclubs or other indoor hospitality venues.

3) Aged care facilities will only accept two visits per resident per day.

4) No standing and drinking at indoor venues.

5) Mask usage remains mandatory on public transport and indoor venues such as theatres and aged care homes.

6) No singing will be allowed by attendees at indoor shows or church-goers in places of worship.

Source: Thanks msn.com