New restrictions for NSW after coronavirus cases spike

Strict new lockdown measures, including a halt on construction, have been imposed for Sydney after another spike in Covid-19 cases.

Sweeping new lockdown measures including a halt on construction and retail restrictions have been imposed on people in NSW after the state recorded more than 100 new Covid-19 cases.

Construction sites “large and small” will be shut down until July 30 and only “critical retail” including supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Saturday.

This includes all non-urgent repairs, any form of building, renovation, construction or maintenance, including cleaning services, she said.

“This is our chance to quash this virus and make sure that families and businesses can bounce back as quickly as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced new restrictions on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“Our best chance of allowing that to happen is to put a pause on all those worksites between now and July 30.”

The pause on construction will come into place from Monday however urgent repairs can go ahead, she confirmed.

Retailers that can remain open include supermarkets, medical supply shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, hardware stores and nurseries, agriculture supply stores, pet supply shops, post offices and newsagents.

Anyone who leaves home must also have a mask with them at all times and they must be worn if working outdoors, in outdoor markets, shopping strips and in outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee.

Carpooling is also banned unless it’s among members of the same household, the Premier said.

Supermarkets are among ‘critical retail’ that will remain open in NSW as strict new lockdown measures were announced on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Ms Berejiklian also said people who lived in Fairfield, Canterbury Bankstown or Liverpool government areas are barred from leaving the area for work unless they were employed in health or emergency services sectors from

“We want to get out of this as quickly as possible. This Delta variant has been a challenge for every single nation on the planet,” Ms Berejiklian said.

From Wednesday, employers risk a fine of up to $10,000 if they don’t allow their staff to work from home if they are able to.

The move comes as one man in his 80s died and 111 new locally transmitted cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.