AMN/ WEB DESK
Sydney’s lockdown has been extended by another month as Covid cases continue to rise. Australia’s largest city has been under stay-at-home orders since late June due to an outbreak of the Delta variant. More than 2,500 people have been infected in Sydney’s worst outbreak this year.
New South Wales – of which Sydney is the capital – reported 177 new cases on Wednesday, the most in a day since March 2020. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, it was not possible for the city to exit lockdown on Friday as had been planned.
She announced further curbs on movement – including a 10km limit on essential shopping. Victoria and South Australia both came out of lockdowns yesterday, after containing smaller outbreaks. Sydney’s five million residents had enjoyed a fairly normal lifestyle this year until the outbreak happened. Experts warn that restrictions in Sydney could last until September or even later.
Authorities say they cannot re-open until the transmission rate is back to near zero.