NSW has recorded 642 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths, with at least 41 people infectious while in the community.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced a raft of changes to NSW's lockdown.
For the first time the state government will impose a curfew on local government areas of concern in Sydney. as the greater Sydney lockdown is extended until the end of September.
The 9pm to 5am curfew will be in place in those LGAs with exceptions for critical workers.
In other changes:
- Outdoor exercise will now be limited to one hour a day in those LGAs of concern.
- Masks must be worn outdoors across the state, except during exercise.
- Garden centres, office supply stores, hardware stores and pet supply stores must close except for click and collect in those areas.
- Childcare workers and disability support workers who live or work the areas of concern must have their first vaccine dose by August 30.
- Authorised workers from the LGAs who work outside their area can only work if they get their first jab by the 30th of August, or if their workplace has rapid antigen testing.
- From next Saturday authorised workers from the areas of concern, or those entering to work will also need a permit.
About 5.6 million jabs have been given in NSW, 54 per cent of people are fully vaccinated.
"These are great milestones that we are hitting and we cannot say enough how important it is the people to come forward and get vaccinated., the Premier said.
About 132,000 tests were taken in the community yesterday.
The state's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant threw her support behind the new measures.
"We needed these measures to slow the growth of this escalating outbreak, and give us time to vaccinate our population, to save lives and prevent hospitalisation," she said.
"I understand that this is going to be so hard for everyone across New South Wales for the next four to six weeks. But I do not want to be standing here every day, announcing these high rates of hospitalisations, and these deaths, every one of these deaths is someone mother, father, grandmother, grandfather," Dr Chant said.
"I want to see those deaths as low as possible stop in so I call on the people of NSW, to work together."
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The statewide lockdown was extended until at least August 28 on Thursday.
A permit system for people leaving Sydney is due to come into force on Saturday, with the Central Coast and Shellharbour slated to separate from the Greater Sydney umbrella.
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
