Residents within the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA) will now be subject to tighter restrictions, as the highly contagious COVID-19 delta strain runs rampant in the community.
177 new cases of community transmission were recorded in the last 24 hours, 46 of which were infectious whilst in the community.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today the Greater Sydney lockdown will be extended for another four weeks, adding the Parramatta LGA to a list of eight areas of concern.
The five previously announced LGAs of concern are Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland.
As of midnight tonight residents within the Parramatta LGA will not be able to leave their suburb, including for work, unless declared essential by the State Government’s health orders.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said higher vaccination rates and following the health orders are the only way to guarantee the further easing of restrictions.
“Though the Pfizer supply is insufficient there is plenty of AstraZeneca, and updated federal health advice recommends anyone aged 18 and over in Greater Sydney should access the jab,” she said.
“If you are unvaccinated, please organise a jab as soon as you possibly can, especially if you live in an LGA of concern.”
Ms Berejiklian said residents can expect an increased police presence.
Other restriction changes are as follows:
From midnight tonight (July 28):
- In line with exercise rules, Greater Sydney residents including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour must limit their shopping to within their Local Government Area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within 10km from home, unless the item is not available locally.
From 12.01am, Saturday, July 31:
- Construction in non-occupied settings outside of the LGAs of concern (with no residents on-site) will re-open as planned, subject to a one person per 4sqm rule. These low-risk construction sites must have COVID safe plans in place, compliance will be strictly enforced. Construction cannot resume in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will construction workers be allowed to leave these areas.
- Trades people, including cleaners who are able to work with zero contact with residents will also be allowed to resume (no more than two people inside and five outside). If contactless arrangements are not possible, work cannot go ahead. This work will not be allowed in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will workers be allowed to leave these areas.
- A singles bubble will also be introduced, allowing people who live alone to nominate one designated family member or friend to visit for companionship. Restrictions will apply for people in the LGAs of concern.
Changes to surveillance testing (enforceable from Saturday, 31 July):
- All authorised workers from Canterbury-Bankstown LGA must get tested once every three days in order to leave their LGA for work.
People who live in the Fairfield and Cumberland LGAs but work outside these areas as health or aged care workers (including support services for health or aged care, such as cleaners, cooks and security providers) must be tested once every three days in order to be allowed to go to work outside their LGA.
These surveillance testing requirements will be enforceable from Saturday, 31 July. However, relevant workers will have from today to get their first test.
Year 12 students are also set to return to face-to-face learning on Monday, August 16, with the NSW Government finalising plans for the resumption of in-class study under strict COVID protocols.
Ms Berejiklian said the government will redirect Pfizer vaccines to year 12 students in the eight LGAs of concern.
For the latest information visit http://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.