Coronavirus NSW: Premier ‘doubts’ NSW will ease gathering restrictions before Mother’s Day
NSW has recorded just three cases of coronavirus after a record 24 hours of testing but despite the figures, Premier Gladys Berejiklian says it’s unlikely the state will “be in a position” to ease restrictions even if National Cabinet makes changes.
NSW Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
This coronavirus article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. For full access to The Daily Telegraph journalism, subscribe here.
Lockdown restrictions won’t be lifted in time for Mother’s Day, the premier has warned, despite National Cabinet expected to advise states to ease gathering rules.
Although just three new cases of the virus have been confirmed in NSW in the past 24 hours from a record 10900 tests and while Premier Gladys Berejiklian says life will soon begin to feel “much more normal,” it won’t happen before Sunday.
“Without wanting to be the bearer of bad news, whilst National Cabinet is considering easing the restrictions from Friday in terms of the national guidelines, I doubt that NSW will be in a position to implement anything before Mother’s Day,” Ms Berejiklian said.
National cabinet will meet on Friday to consider easing restrictions that would allow indoor gatherings of up to ten people by Mother’s Day on Sunday.
But NSW won’t immediately implement any changes before the weekend despite the Prime Minister last week declaring Australians had earned an “early mark” on easing of restrictions.
“Whilst national cabinet might put in place those guidelines (allowing larger indoor gatherings), we need to consider what it looks like for New South Wales,” she said.
Despite the unwelcome news, Ms Berejiklian did remind people that two adults – and children – are still allowed to visit other people’s homes if they want to see their mother this weekend.
“That’s a huge step forward from what would have happened a month ago. To all mothers out there, please know that you will be able to accept those visitors.”
The premier also confirmed that life will gradually return to normal across NSW throughout May and June with a continual easing of restrictions.
Some industry-specific restrictions have been lifted, including a ban on in-person auctions, but widespread changes won’t be made until next month, when the impact of recent changes is known.
“We will continue to look at things on an industry basis but in terms of restrictions that impact every single citizen, we need to make sure we have the data and see the impact first,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It’s really important for us during this time to collect data to see what is causing the spike in cases … and we can’t do that if we make too many changes at once.”
What you get as a Daily Telegraph subscriber
“Life will feel much more normal than it does now.”
Ms Berejiklian also thanked the state’s residents for heeding her call to get tested for the deadly disease, with a record-breaking 10,900 people swabbed since Wednesday.
Despite the huge increase in tests – up from 8,000 the previous day – just three new infections were detected – all of which were contracted from known cases.
Two of the three new infections recorded overnight came from staff members at the Newmarch House aged care facility.
The COVID-19 infections were identified through the screening program in place at the house which sees all residents and staff tested daily.
The third case was linked to someone who was already infected with the disease.
“There wasn’t any community to community transmission. That’s a good result,” she said.
As the rates of community transmission continue to slow, the premier has called on more people to come forward for testing to fast-track the easing of restrictions.
The government is continuing to urge anyone who has even minor symptoms or is concerned they may have the virus to get tested.
“Let’s try and maintain the figure of between 8,000 to 10,000 every day of the week and weekend. And I think it’s the cold weather motivating people to get tested and we ask everybody to maintain their vigilance because the more people get tested, the more cases that are out there we identify which means we can look to easing restrictions a bit earlier than we’d hoped,” the premier said.