WA, South Australia and New Zealand shut out NSW travellers

WA, South Australia and New Zealand shut out NSW travellers

The growing COVID-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney has forced Aussie states and territories to impose new travel restrictions, with some shutting out all NSW visitors.

NSW recorded 10 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm (AEST) last night, seven of which were already announced yesterday morning.

NSW Health has also been notified of 13 new locally acquired cases overnight. These cases will be included in tomorrow’s numbers.

New restrictions will be introduced for Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour from 4pm (AEST) today for one week.

Those who live or work in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside and Woollahra local government areas won’t be allowed to travel outside metropolitan Sydney for non-essential travel.

Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events; and drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed.

The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals, and outdoor seated events will be limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs. However, dancing will be allowed at weddings for the bridal party only (no more than 20 people).

Western Australia and South Australia have both closed their borders with NSW, while Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania have all identified the seven Greater Sydney LGAs mentioned above as hotspots.

From 4pm (AEST) today, the ACT government will introduce a new ‘stay-at-home’ requirement for anyone who leaves any of the seven Greater Sydney LGAs and enters the territory.

New Zealand paused quarantine-free travel from NSW for an initial 72-hour period from 11:59pm (NZT) last night, before the country’s Ministry of Health revealed that an Aussie traveller from Sydney, who visited Wellington from Saturday 19 June until Monday 21 June, had tested positive for COVID-19 upon their return to Australia.

This is the first time an Australian traveller has brought COVID-19 to NZ and since gone home.

A number of exposure sites have been confirmed as a result of the NZ Health Ministry’s contract tracing efforts, including a Qantas and Air New Zealand flight.


Featured image source: YouTube/ABC News (Australia)

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