A pained Gladys Berejiklian has extended Sydney’s lockdown by another four weeks as COVID-19 continues to hold the city to ransom.
Stay-at-home orders will remain in place until at least Saturday, August 28 as the State Government desperately tries to ramp up vaccine numbers and bring down local Coronavirus cases.
However, Ms Berejiklian has confirmed an easing of some restrictions.
Non-occupied construction can resume on Saturday outside of the Local Government Areas that are subjected to tighter lockdown restrictions.
Those Local Government Areas are Fairfield, Blacktown, Cumberland, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Parramatta and Georges River.
“Contactless tradies” can also work at residential and business premises.
Year 12 face-to-face learning will resume on Monday, August 16 but home schooling will remain in place for other school students.
A ‘singles bubble’ will be implemented, so people living by themselves can be visited by one person, but it must be the same person throughout the lockdown.
Retail and hospitality businesses will remain closed, except for click and collect or in the case of restaurants, takeaway and delivery services.
Ms Berejiklian also confirmed that people must stay within their Local Government Area, or inside of 10km, for essential shopping.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said though the stay-at-home restrictions are difficult for the community, this is a critical time if we are to suppress the outbreak.
“The vast majority of the community has been absolutely fantastic to date and have followed the public health advice,” he said.
“Though we are easing some restrictions today we need people to redouble their efforts as we continue to battle the Delta variant in the coming weeks.”
Ms Berejiklian said higher vaccination rates and following the health orders are the only way to guarantee the further easing of restrictions.
“If you are unvaccinated, please organise a jab as soon as you possibly can,” she said.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's 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.