To control the ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 delta variant, authorities extended the blockade of Greater Sydney until the end of September, enforcing more stringent restrictions on the concerned local government (LGA).
Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales (NSW), recorded 642 new infections and 4 deaths on Thursday.
Greater Sydney was originally put under a five-week blockade in late June due to the outbreak of a delta variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the new coronavirus.
The blockage was extended for another four weeks until August 28, and further until Friday, September 30.
LGA concerns face a number of new restrictions (excluding authorized and emergency workers), including a curfew from 9 pm to 5 am. One hour limit when leaving home for exercise. All exams and professional development activities must be done online. Also, certain retail facilities must be closed except for “click and collect”.
These include gardening supplies centers and plant nurseries, office supplies, hardware and construction supplies, landscaping supplies, local supplies, and pet supplies (excluding merchants).
Australia’s curfew is not new, and Victorian authorities are enforcing a curfew in the current three-week blockade of Greater Melbourne.
Sydney’s LGAs of concern are Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Cumberland Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and several suburbs of Penrith.
Permits will come into effect this weekend for people traveling between Greater Sydney and the New South Wales region.
“Evidence of the curfew is mixed, but much of this evidence is mixed,” Gladys Berejikrian, the Prime Minister of State, told reporters. “But we don’t have to look back and say we didn’t try. We didn’t put everything in it.”
Masks are also required for individuals leaving the home.
“This also applies to the police. This means wearing a mask outdoors unless you’re (that is) exercising, as it’s easy to see that everyone is following the rules,” Premier said. I added.
Rather than relying on contact tracing measures that allow the economy to remain open, Beregikrian has resisted the demands of a strict blockade over the past year.
However, the advent of the Delta changed the equation, and New South Wales authorities stepped up efforts to stop the spread of COVID variants. They say this is due to the low vaccination rates in the country.
Most of Australia’s population is currently blocked, with the Northern Territory including New South Wales, Greater Melbourne, Greater Darwin and Catherine, and the Australian Capital Territory being severely restricted.
Australia and New Zealand have relatively low COVID-19 infection and mortality rates by global standards. This, along with public support for strict measures, motivated state leaders to more easily implement blockades, restrictions and border closures.
However, evidence has emerged that a long-term blockade is causing serious mental health problems in Australia, with Lifeline Australia, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Hotlines recording the highest ever request for assistance on August 20. doing.
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