Sydney is going into lockdown as concerns grow about a coronavirus outbreak in Australia’s largest city.
Health authorities reported an additional 22 locally transmitted cases and imposed a week-long lockdown in four areas, saying people could leave their homes only for essential purposes.
The local council areas in Sydney entering lockdown are Woollahra, Waverley, Randwick and the City of Sydney.
People will only be able to leave their homes for essential work or education, shopping and exercise.
Authorities say the cluster spread from a Sydney airport limousine driver. He was not vaccinated, reportedly did not wear a mask and suspected to have been infected while transporting a foreign air crew.
The outbreak of the highly contagious delta variant was first detected last week, and 65 people have since been infected.
“If you live or work in those local government areas, you need to stay at home unless absolutely necessary,” said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
She said the lockdown, which was due to go into effect just before midnight Friday, would have a significant impact on businesses, especially in the central business district of the city of more than 5 million people.
“This is in order for us to ensure that this doesn’t take a hold for weeks and weeks, and we believe this is a proportionate response to the risk,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The Premier predicted the number of new COVID-19 infections would grow as the hundreds of people currently in isolation returned positive tests.
“We expect household contacts to develop the virus,” the premier said after a crisis meeting to review the swelling figures.
“Our aim is to make sure that we get on top of any potential spread and that we also get on top of any chains of transmission that our testing hasn’t picked up.”
The National Retailers Association said the seven-day lockdown would “inflict carnage” on CBD retailers and cost as much as $750 million in lost retail sales.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier John Barilaro has tested negative to COVID-19 after a virus scare in the state’s parliament.
However, the NSW Nationals leader must follow health advice and remain in isolation in Sydney until July 6 and be tested at least two more times.
The NSW parliament was on Thursday declared a potential exposure venue during one of the busiest weeks of the year – budget week – after Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall tested positive.
Ms Berejiklian was tested and cleared on Thursday morning, as was Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
