NSW Covid updates: Two week lockdown as Delta variant spreads
As a strict 14-day lockdown began in Sydney on Saturday, it was revealed a Sydney-based Virgin cabin crew member tested positive to Covid-19, sparking NSW Health to sent urgent alerts about possible exposure to passengers both in NSW and interstate.
The entire city of Sydney has been locked down for two weeks after Covid broke containment lines around the CBD and eastern suburbs.
Everyone in greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour must stay at home until midnight on Friday, July 9.
People can only leave their homes to buy essential items like groceries and bedding, seek medical care, including a Covid vaccination, unless already identified as a close contact, care for loved ones, exercise in groups of 10 or fewer, and essential work or study if it cannot be done from home.
As health authorities feared the rapid spread of the virus, at 11pm on Saturday, they sent an alert about five Virgin airline flights linked to a confirmed case.
Virgin Australia confirmed on Saturday a "Sydney-based cabin crew member has tested positive to COVID-19 after undertaking a rapid result test".
"The affected crew member is a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case from a known cluster in Sydney. Virgin Australia understands the crew member was not aware they were a close contact of a positive case until after they completed their last flight," the statement read.
A Sydney-based Virgin crew member has tested positive to Covid.
The affected flights areJune 25, VA939 Sydney-Brisbane; VA334 Brisbane-Melbourne; June 26, VA827 Melbourne-Sydney, VA517 Sydney-Gold Coast, and VA524 Gold Coast-Sydney.
NSW Health passengers "must immediately call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result". Passengers now in other states must check for local health advice.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian calls for a two-week lockdown. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty
VIRUS SPREADS
Health authorities yesterday realised the eastern suburbs lockdown was futile when they discovered delivery drivers from Marrickville food wholesaler Great Ocean Foods were making deliveries to restaurants across the city while infectious since Monday.
“They have already been in the community infectious for a couple of days and infectious outside the area of the original lockdown,” NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said.
Dr Chant was worried about how many people the delivery drivers have in turn infected, who were unwittingly spreading it further. The undetected spread forced the hand of the NSW government that until now had until now had prided itself on living with the virus for the past year-and-a-half.
“A few days ago I said I felt this was the scariest time since the pandemic started and that has proven to be the case,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
“NSW always has a policy of not burdening our citizens unless we absolutely have to but unfortunately at this point in time we absolutely have to.”
There is a remote chance the lockdown will end early if after seven days there is a “dramatic” reduction in the spread, but Ms Berejiklian said the chance of an early reprieve was highly unlikely.
“The best health advice is we will need two weeks in order to get on top of the community transmission of this very contagious strain,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We should brace ourselves for additional cases. We know the numbers will go up in the next few days.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the Delta variant was twice as contagious as any other strain Sydney had previously combated.
“No matter what defensive steps we’re taking at the moment the virus seems to understand how to counter-attack,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The Delta variant of this virus is moving around our community far faster than anyone could have imagined … To defeat this virus we all need to stop moving around unless we absolutely have to.”
There are 64 people currently being treated for Covid, but only one is in intensive care and the vast majority are being treated in non-acute out-of-hospital care. Community sport has already been cancelled and there can be no weddings from Monday, but funerals with 100 or fewer mourners can go ahead provided masks are worn indoors and there is enough space for one person per four square metres.
Childcare and daycare centres will stay open and essential workers can still send their kids to school holiday activities. Elective surgeries can go ahead as scheduled, as there are enough ICU beds with ventilators to cope with any surge of Covid patients.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also extended his support to the people of NSW facing lockdown but said it was a "necessary" decision.
Mr Morrison said $500 Commonwealth disaster recovery payments which had applied to the initial locked down zones would now be extended to all of greater Sydney, with affected workers in those areas able to access the funding from July 4.
"This is a truly global pandemic and it will continue to seek to have its impact wherever and whenever it wants," he said.
"So, as Australians, we have to endure these outcomes. And we get through them together. We get through them by looking after each other and following these common sense measures that have been put in place."
NSW Health has been notified of additional venues across Sydney visited by confirmed cases of COVID‑19, as well as updated times and details for previously announced venues and public transport routes. FULL LIST OF LATEST ALERTS
Updates
VENUES ALERT UPDATE
Evelyn Yamine
NSW Health has added 23 more potential exposure sites and several train routes as locations for coronavirus transmission.
Anyone who attended these venues is considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.
SUNDAY JUNE 20 Gregory Hills: II Sapore Restaurant (12pm – 3pm)
TUESDAY JUNE 22 Ryde: Hurricanes Bar and Grill (5.20pm – 9.30pm) Marrickville: Everest Nepalese Takeaway Café (4.30am – 8.30am)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 23 Marrickville: Everest Nepalese Takeaway Café (6.15am – 7am) Rhodes: Bare Witness Café (11am – 12.30pm) Coogee: Coogee Diggers RSL – gym on level 2 (3.45pm – 5.30pm)
THURSDAY JUNE 24 Woollahra: Bistro Moncur, Woollahra Hotel (7.30pm – 10pm)
Anyone who attended these venues is considered a casual contact and must get tested and self isolate until they return a negative result
MONDAY 21 JUNE Randwick: Bakes Bar (10.40am – 11am) Moorebank: Cedary Bakehouse (11am – 3pm) Bondi: The Char Rotisserie (5.10pm – 5.25pm) Bondi: Raw Bar (1.30pm – 1.40pm) Bondi: RicePot Thai (3.25pm – 3.35pm) Bondi: I Love Pizza (3.40pm – 3.50pm) Bondi Beach: La Piadina Bondi (2.10pm – 2.20pm and 4.40pm – 4.50pm) Bondi Beach: Oakberry Acai (3.15pm – 3.25pm) Bondi Beach: Macelleria Bondi (1.45pm – 1.55pm) Rose Bay: Poke Mix (4.15pm – 4.25pm) Rose Bay: Pita Mix (1.55pm – 2.10pm) Vaucluse: Sushi Dining Den (2.45pm – 2.55pm)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 23 Sydney: Woolworths Town Hall (3.45pm – 4.15pm) Carnes Hill: Woolworths (1.30pm – 1.55pm and 2.30pm – 2.35pm) Carnes Hill: Commonwealth Bank (2pm – 2.15pm) Carnes Hill: CTC Tobacconist (2.12pm – 2.15pm)
THURSDAY JUNE 24 Sydney: Woolworths Town Hall (3.45pm – 4.15pm)
Anyone who boarded the following trains is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and isolate until they return a negative test.
TUESDAY JUNE 22
T3 Bankstown Line from Belmore to Central between 1.46pm and 2.40pm
T8 City to Airport/South from Central to Mascot between 2.14pm and 2.21pm
FROM ONE LOCKDOWN TO ANOTHER
Evelyn Yamine
Hugh Jackman has finished two weeks of mandatory hotel quarantine, only to enter Greater Sydney’s newly enforced two week lockdown. Posting photos enjoying fresh air on the water near Roseville on Sydney’s north shore not far from where he grew up, a happy Jackman enjoyed the sunshine after weeks alone. During quarantine, the Greatest Showman actor shared videos of himself going over a tap-dancing regimen with choreographer Warren Carlyle, giving fans a peek into his rehearsal routine for his upcoming Broadway role as The Music Man.
The 52-year-old put on a high-energy performance in the footage, which he captioned “Inching ever closer to the bright lights of Broadway”. Another post complained about not being able to work the microwave – but as fans learned, he excelled at tossing snacks into his own mouth. Food dominated his hotel quarantine, also enjoying ricotta pancakes from Bill’s as a surprise from his family to celebrate Father’s Day in the US.
TRAVEL BUBBLE
Evelyn Yamine
New Zealand authorities have paused the quarantine-free travel bubble with Australia for 72 hours, the country's coronavirus response minister has confirmed.
The pause comes after New Zealand temporarily put a hold on the bubble between NSW but has now extended it to the entire country after Premier Gladys Berejiklian plunged the state into a two-week lockdown.
Kiwi officials have halted the bubble with Australia from 10.30pm tonight (NZT) until 11.59pm June 29 (NZT). Minister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand remained "committed" to the agreement but said the pause was needed to find better ways to maintain the bubble during a virus outbreak. The decision will be reviewed on Monday. “I acknowledge the frustration and inconvenience that comes with this pause, but given the high level of transmissibility of what appears to be the Delta variant, and the fact that there are now multiple community clusters, it is the right thing to do to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand," he said.
– Anton Rose
MEAT SELLS OUT
Evelyn Yamine
Inner city suburb Waterloo has joined in the panic buying frenzy with the meat section almost completely cleared by 7pm. Desperate shoppers were spotted frantically grabbing the last of the meat available which was mostly ham steaks, kangaroo and vegan "fake" meat.
Toilet paper and bread were also completely cleared and fresh fruit and vegetables were running low – with avocados long gone.
NSW Health has added 17 new venues alerts over fears of potential coronavirus transmission from confirmed cases.
Medicos are warning anyone in particular, and their household contacts, who attended or received a delivery from Great Ocean Foods in Marrickville from Monday June 21 to Friday June 25 to get tested and isolate.
People who visited the following places are considered close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result SUNDAY JUNE 20
Potts Point: Café de la Fontaine (10.30am – 12pm)
Annandale: Revolver Café (10.45am – 12.10pm)
Coogee: Churrasco (5.30pm to 6.40pm)
Gregory Hills: Woolworths (3pm – 3.30pm)
Double Bay: Matteo Restaurant and Bar (6.30pm – 8pm) TUESDAY JUNE 22
Hurstville: H One Hair Salon (5.30pm – 6.30pm)
Bondi Beach: Speedo Fitness Club – pool area only (4.45pm – 6.15pm)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 23
North Ryde: Macquarie Shopping Centre food court – level 2 (2pm – 2.30pm)
Casula: Crossroads Hotel (7pm – 10.30pm)
THURSDAY JUNE 24
Burwood: Yang’s Dumplings (11am – 11.30am)
Anyone who visited the following venues is considered a casual contact and must get tested and isolate until a negative test is returned.
TUESDAY JUNE 22
Bondi Junction: Five Star Hot Food (1.40pm – 1.55pm)
Bondi Beach: Speedo Fitness Club – fitness centre of classes (4.45 – 6.15pm)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 23
Denham Court: Coles Willowdale Neighbourhood Centre (9am to 10.20am) Randwick: Bunnings Randwick (9am to 9.30am)
THURSDAY JUNE 24
Chullora: Woolworths Chullora Marketplace (7.30am to 8am)
Anyone who also attended Bondi Pharmacy on Hall St Bondi Beach on Friday June 18 from 1.45pm to 2.43pm should monitor for symptoms and get tested and self isolate if they develop.
2GB REGULARS CALLED BACK TO WORK
Evelyn Yamine
While the likes of KIIS FM’s Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson will continue with a planned non-survey break, their AM counterparts at rival 2GB have been called back to work. Ben Fordham, Ray Hadley and Deborah Knight were scheduled to enjoy a two week holiday in what is usually a forced break for top tier radio talent nationally. But with the ever evolving Covid situation, and lock downs in place in Sydney and elsewhere in the state until July 9, they’ve cancelled their holidays. “In times like these, 2GB prides itself on giving Sydneysiders the most up-to-date news, as well as comfort, companionship and a platform to express their views,” 2GB content manager Luke Davis said.
“I’m proud that our extended team have seen it fit to put their personal plans on hold to keep our city up to date.”
The station’s other on air talent including Jim Wilson, Mark Levy and John Stanley have also chosen to forego the planned break. There are 40 survey weeks in the Australian radio industry calendar year, meaning ratings for those weeks count towards the eight survey period results in a year. “It is the biggest news story of the century and Sydney is under lockdown so of course we’re all going to be live on air at a time like this,” breakfast host Fordham said.
“Nobody needed any encouragement and everyone made the call independently. Ray (Hadley) was the first to change his plans and everyone else came to the same conclusion. When you do what we do, this week is not the week to be off air. There’s some strong feelings out there and I expect we’ll hear some of that on the talkback line. It’s going to be a big week.”
– Jonathon Moran
COURT HEARINGS CANCELLED
Evelyn Yamine
Hearings in local courts throughout Greater Sydney have been cancelled for the next two weeks. In a statement this afternoon, Chief Magistrate Graeme Henson confirmed defended hearings would not go ahead at 27 courts in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong. The hearings will be relisted on dates after the lockdown. Lawyers have also been urged to have their clients appear by audio visual link or have their cases mentioned via email. Sentences will proceed where possible and masks will have to be worn at all times inside the courts. The last COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown lead to lengthy delays across the criminal justice system with trials postponed for months.
– Ava Benny-Morrison
SMALL BUSINESSES 'TAKE A BATTERING'
Evelyn Yamine
Kiama MP Gareth Ward told The Sunday Telegraph that Shellharbour LGA would soon be added to the lockdown list. He said he would be seeking financial assistance for businesses that were about to be impacted once again. “The South Coast has been through a hell of a lot, small businesses have been taking a battering,” he said. “I am preparing a letter to seek support for businesses that have been through far too much, from floods, to fires, to Covid lockdowns. “We need support for those business that were expecting a bumber school holidays that are now facing a wrecking ball through their livelihoods.”
Covid cases are on the rise in NSW, and the true toll of the virus this year has been revealed, with almost 4000 Australians dying from the virus in 2023.
