New COVID case link to Southern Highlands cluster
NSW has no new cases of community transmitted COVID-19 today, although the source of a recent case in Moss Vale is still a mystery.
NSW Coronavirus News
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No new cases of locally acquired COVID-19 were recorded across NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday but the source of a recent case in Moss Vale is still a mystery.
Three cases were detected in returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.
The cases represent the results of 13,721 tests.
NSW Health has continued to urge people to come forward for testing, particularly in Southwest Sydney and the Southern Highlands.
Health authorities have also emphasised that people infected by the virus may not have any symptoms.
“To ensure we can continue to control the spread of the virus, it is most important to step forward for testing if there is any concern at all that you may have been exposed or may have symptoms,” NSW Health said.
Three cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,273.
NSW Health is currently treating 63 COVID-19 cases, with one patient in intensive care but not requiring ventilation.
Ninety-five per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
NINE DAYS OF ZERO COVID-19 FOR VICTORIA
Victoria has recorded its ninth straight day of zero new coronavirus cases on Sunday as Premier Daniel Andrews prepares to announce further easing of restrictions across the state.
Melbourne’s 14-day rolling virus average fell from 0.9 to 0.4, while regional Victoria’s average is at zero.
There are two cases in metropolitan Melbourne with an unknown source.
It comes as the state prepares to move ahead to the next step on the COVID-19 recovery road map on Sunday.
From 11.59pm Sunday, Melbourne’s “ring of steel” – which has been up since July 9 and separates the city from regional Victoria – is expected to be scrapped.
People will be free to come and go from their homes as often as they please and indoor gyms will reopen for the first time since July.
But there will be a cap on the number of people allowed in, with 10 per class or space and up to 20 for each venue.
The controversial 25km travel restriction will also be dropped.
Capacity in pubs, cafes and restaurants will be increased from 20 to 40 indoors and up to 70 outdoors, and bookings of up to 10 will be allowed.
But venues must adhere to the one person per four-squared-metres rule.
Outdoor gatherings will be limited to groups of 10.
Victorians must also continue working from home if they can.
It’s likely there will be no changes made to weddings (up to 10 people) but funeral numbers may increase to up to 50 outdoors. The limit on 20 indoors is predicted to stay the same.
There’s been a big push to get kids moving again and from this Sunday children younger than 18 will be allowed to participate in indoor non-contact sports.
Outdoor bootcamps will be given the green light, as long as numbers are restricted to 10 and social distancing is possible.
Indoor pools can host up to 20 people and 50 for outdoor pools.
For religious gatherings, up to 20 people (plus a faith leader) will be allowed indoors, and up to 50 people (plus a faith leader) outdoors.
NEW COVID CASE LINK TO SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CLUSTER
One new local coronavirus infection has been recorded in NSW while another four cases were diagnosed in hotel quarantine, NSW Health’s Dr Michael Douglas confirmed on Saturday.
The new community case is a household contact of a previous infection in Moss Vale, in the state’s Southern Highlands. The source of the original case remains under investigation.
Testing figures were down from 17,492 on Thursday to 14,697 on Friday.
Dr Douglas warned residents to remain vigilant, given some people may show no symptoms of the virus and spread it unwittingly.
“The process of becoming infected and infecting others often occurs silently, invisibly, and inadvertently,” he said.
“It’s evident that the virus has an ability to readily spread from person to person.”
Staff and students at Moss Vale Public School were forced into isolation after a person who attended the school tested positive.
One of Friday’s new cases also attended Southern Highlands Early Childhood Centre.
“Both sites are closed today for cleaning and contact tracing is under way,” NSW Health said on Friday.
BOXING DAY SALES IN UNCHARTED WATERS
The Boxing Day sales this year will, like so much of life, be radically changed by the battle to beat COVID-19.
While one business group has called for wholesale ditching of current social distancing rules, another has warned shops to actively manage the traditional crowds and stagger their bargains.
A major national retailer has revealed it won’t have any sales at all but another refuses the reveal its plans.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling on the states and territories to ditch the one person per four square metre rule for shop interiors in time for Boxing Day shopping.
It is encouraging shoppers to get back into brick and mortar stores to check out the sales this year. And online sales are expected to boom.
“While we know that online shopping is booming and will continue to be popular over the Christmas period, it will still be vital for shoppers to visit bricks and mortar businesses, particularly small businesses impacted by the COVID restrictions,” CEO James Pearson said.
“Our members have been telling us that the current square metre rule restrictions make it very difficult to trade, particularly for small businesses. We are urging the states and territories to implement this plan as soon as possible so that small businesses can reap the maximum benefits from the holiday period,” he said.
Mr Pearson said as long as businesses have a COVID safe plan, can allow for social distancing and good hygiene standards, there should be no problem with Sydneysiders flocking to the sales.
Budget retail giant Kmart told The Saturday Telegraph while their doors will be open, they will not be participating in any Boxing Day sales this year.
Clothing and lifestyle icon Myer would not reveal plans for their Boxing Day sales.
The Sydney Business Chamber said retailers need to be thinking about crowds outside of their shops as well as inside to prevent overcrowding.
“Having COVID safe practices both in your store and outside of your store is really important, not just that only say 20 people come in, but that line out the front isn’t breaching social distancing,” Executive Director Katherine O’Regan said.
Ms O’Regan said extending trading hours on Boxing Day and encouraging customers not to all visit at the same time will help stem overcrowding.
While friends Hannah Gobran, 24 and Chloe Miller, 23 have been shopping in brick and mortar stores during the pandemic, Hanna told The Saturday Telegraph the bargains would have to be big to get her into the shop.
“I’ll be staying away because of the crowds … I've definitely been shopping online more,” Ms Gobran said.
“But I’d definitely come in store for a good bargain, for sure,” she said.