Health officials have declared the NSW COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency, as the highly contagious delta strain runs rampant in communities.
NSW recorded 136 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, 53 of which were infectious in the community.
Cumberland and Blacktown Local Government Areas (LGA) are now subject to even tighter restrictions, which will prohibit anyone leaving the suburb, including for work, unless declared essential by the State Government’s health orders.
The current stay at home orders apply, with residents only able to leave their homes for essential reasons and exercise that is within the LGA or a 10km radius from the home.
Health officials have recommended moving forward that vaccines are prioritised for south-western and western Sydney residents.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government will be redoubling its efforts in distributing vaccines to these affected communities.
“There is no doubt that the numbers are not going in the direction we were hoping they would at this stage,” she said.
“The emergency we have in NSW is directly linked to the national vaccination strategy but also could impact other states if we don’t have a national focus.
“We need first doses in the arms of those people of those affected areas, especially those providing critical work.”
However, Cumberland City Council Mayor Steve Christou says it’s too little too late and that an increased vaccine roll out was needed weeks ago.
“We offered our facilities and offered to run a vaccination program weeks ago and this lack of action is having a devastating impact on our community,” he said.
“Today, finally, we have confirmation from NSW Health that they will roll out vaccination hubs using our facilities.
“The targeted approach announced today should have come out hard and fast from the outset, rather than the drip feed of vaccinations our community has had in recent months.”
Cr Christou said Council will maintain its essential services including waste and recycling, street cleaning, maintenance and child care, as well as provide meals on wheels services to the vulnerable.
Ms Berejiklian said it was “fairly apparent that we will not be close to ending lockdown on Friday”.
The community is reminded to regularly monitor NSW Health advice and transmission venue alerts at: bit.ly/3BxTBmD
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.