NSW records 30 new local COVID-19 cases - Bega District News

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she has no regrets about her government's unsuccessful bid to keep Greater Sydney out of lockdown, with NSW recording its highest number of new local COVID-19 cases so far this year. The state's Labor opposition has meanwhile implored her to ensure emergency payments and worker assistance are rolled out quickly. NSW recorded 30 new locally-acquired virus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, with Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour enduring the first of 14 days in lockdown. All have been linked to the Bondi outbreak and 11 of them were self-isolating throughout their infectious period. NSW had not recorded 30 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 since December, amid the Northern Beaches outbreak. The new infections bring the Bondi outbreak to date to 110 people. Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said 10 of Sunday's new cases were linked to Great Ocean Foods in Marrickville, bringing that cluster to 11. One case linked to the seafood distributor is a domestic flight crew attendant with Virgin Australia who tested positive on Saturday night. Ms Berejiklian said on Sunday she expected local case numbers to increase in the coming days, given the contagiousness of the Delta virus variant. When asked if she delayed calling a citywide lockdown because she wanted to keep her reputation as a premier who keeps the state open, Ms Berejiklian replied: "I do not regret a single decision we have taken. "I have never cared about what people think about me. I care about keeping people safe." Greater Sydney was placed into lockdown on Saturday after escalating restrictions were enacted over several days across the city's centre and east. Residents in the lockdown zone are only allowed to leave home for work that can't be done at home, to shop for essentials, for exercise, to seek medical care or for care-giving or compassionate reasons. Anyone in regional NSW who has been to Greater Sydney since June 21 is also being asked to stay home for the lockdown period. Dr Chant said she was confident the lockdown - scheduled to end at 11.59pm on July 9 - would be sufficient to bring the outbreak under control. She denied the state's contact tracers were overwhelmed by the rising number of exposure sites but admitted the Delta variant was an unprecedented challenge. "If we all take this very seriously, we maintain those testing numbers, then two weeks may be sufficient to have that comfort," Dr Chant said. NSW Health on Sunday afternoon issued a number of new exposure sites including a Mexican restaurant at Bondi Beach, two eateries in Maroubra, Establishment Bar in the Sydney CBD and an Annandale cafe. Orange Supermarket at Rhodes was also listed as a close contact venue. However authorities also issued a correction, removing Crossroads Hotel in Casula as a venue of concern and adding Crossways Hotel in Strathfield South - a different part of Sydney. Ms Berejiklian said the government should be judged by the number of COVID-19 cases uncovered in the community, rather than those already in isolation. Opposition Leader Chris Minns said Labor supported the government's public health measures but called for rapid assistance to small businesses. Mr Minns also wanted Ms Berejiklian to ensure Commonwealth emergency payments to workers were rolled out as quickly as possible. "Any measures in these areas will get immediate endorsement from me and my NSW Labor team," Mr Minns said in a statement. The Australian Retailers Association earlier this week estimated the loss in retail trade during the lockdown would reach $2 billion. Meanwhile, NSW Police issued more than 15 fines for offences on the first night of lockdown. They included an eastern Sydney family travelling to the Hunter for a sporting event and an Illawarra cafe owner who refused to wear a mask. Australian Associated Press

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she has no regrets about her government's unsuccessful bid to keep Greater Sydney out of lockdown, with NSW recording its highest number of new local COVID-19 cases so far this year.

The state's Labor opposition has meanwhile implored her to ensure emergency payments and worker assistance are rolled out quickly.

NSW recorded 30 new locally-acquired virus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, with Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour enduring the first of 14 days in lockdown.

All have been linked to the Bondi outbreak and 11 of them were self-isolating throughout their infectious period.

NSW had not recorded 30 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 since December, amid the Northern Beaches outbreak.

The new infections bring the Bondi outbreak to date to 110 people.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said 10 of Sunday's new cases were linked to Great Ocean Foods in Marrickville, bringing that cluster to 11.

One case linked to the seafood distributor is a domestic flight crew attendant with Virgin Australia who tested positive on Saturday night.

Ms Berejiklian said on Sunday she expected local case numbers to increase in the coming days, given the contagiousness of the Delta virus variant.

When asked if she delayed calling a citywide lockdown because she wanted to keep her reputation as a premier who keeps the state open, Ms Berejiklian replied: "I do not regret a single decision we have taken.

"I have never cared about what people think about me. I care about keeping people safe."

Greater Sydney was placed into lockdown on Saturday after escalating restrictions were enacted over several days across the city's centre and east.

Residents in the lockdown zone are only allowed to leave home for work that can't be done at home, to shop for essentials, for exercise, to seek medical care or for care-giving or compassionate reasons.

Anyone in regional NSW who has been to Greater Sydney since June 21 is also being asked to stay home for the lockdown period.

Dr Chant said she was confident the lockdown - scheduled to end at 11.59pm on July 9 - would be sufficient to bring the outbreak under control.

She denied the state's contact tracers were overwhelmed by the rising number of exposure sites but admitted the Delta variant was an unprecedented challenge.

"If we all take this very seriously, we maintain those testing numbers, then two weeks may be sufficient to have that comfort," Dr Chant said.

NSW Health on Sunday afternoon issued a number of new exposure sites including a Mexican restaurant at Bondi Beach, two eateries in Maroubra, Establishment Bar in the Sydney CBD and an Annandale cafe.

Orange Supermarket at Rhodes was also listed as a close contact venue.

However authorities also issued a correction, removing Crossroads Hotel in Casula as a venue of concern and adding Crossways Hotel in Strathfield South - a different part of Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the government should be judged by the number of COVID-19 cases uncovered in the community, rather than those already in isolation.

Opposition Leader Chris Minns said Labor supported the government's public health measures but called for rapid assistance to small businesses.

Mr Minns also wanted Ms Berejiklian to ensure Commonwealth emergency payments to workers were rolled out as quickly as possible.

"Any measures in these areas will get immediate endorsement from me and my NSW Labor team," Mr Minns said in a statement.

The Australian Retailers Association earlier this week estimated the loss in retail trade during the lockdown would reach $2 billion.

Meanwhile, NSW Police issued more than 15 fines for offences on the first night of lockdown.

They included an eastern Sydney family travelling to the Hunter for a sporting event and an Illawarra cafe owner who refused to wear a mask.

Australian Associated Press

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