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Summary
- Ever since an airport worker tested coronavirus-positive earlier this week, 17 new cases in Northern Beaches have been confirmed overnight.
- NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged all residents to be cautious and get tested if they are experiencing even mild symptoms.
After two weeks of no coronavirus community transmission, suburbs of Northern Beaches have recorded 17 new overnight cases.
Thousands of residents living between Palm Beach and Spit Bridge have been warned to self-isolate.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there was a high chance of more COVID-19 cases to be recorded in the upcoming days.
According to Ms Berejiklian, the next 48 hours would be crucial in determining if the cluster spreads to the broader Sydney area.
Contact tracers are trying to establish hotspot venues at Northern Beaches, so residents could verify if they are a potential source of contagion. The area has a population of over 266,000 residents.
Image Source: Shutterstock
As a preventative measure, all residents living in the hotspot areas have been asked to work from home and remain behind closed doors until tracing is finalised. Authorities have also advised to avoid gatherings at different households, as well as going to old age facilities.
Ms Berejiklian also urged the NSW residents to wear masks at all the time until more details are revealed.
The new cases have been recorded after Ms Berejiklian had loosened restrictions for Christmas holidays. Many are worried if there would be stricter restrictions during the holidays.
Who are infected individuals?
One of the age care employees and her partner have been confirmed COVID-19 positive in Avalon.
Another man, who is a performer at the Nothing too Serious band, has also tested positive. The musician had had numerous gigs around Sydney area, including Penrith.
More cases are emerging ever since the airport truck driver confirmed infected for the novel virus.
Shortly afterwards, an old-age couple from Avalon has also tested positive for COVID-19.
Others were asked to get tested as soon as possible, even if experiencing the mildest signs of the disease.
As the cluster mysteriously grew to a double-digit number in the area, all aged care facilities in Northern Beaches will shut their doors for visitors.
Image Source: Shutterstock
How did other states respond?
Most Australian states have implemented stricter measures for travellers during the Christmas holidays.
Queensland
Everyone who visited the Northern Beaches area and had already come to Queensland is required to get tested and self-isolate for two weeks.
Individuals who went to the hotspot areas on Friday, 11 December, and had planned to go to Queensland after midnight (December 17), need to get checked and quarantine for two weeks at home or a booked accommodation.
People who were present at Northern Beaches on Friday, 11 December, and have booked flights to Queensland after 1 AM on 19 December, need to undergo hotel quarantine at their own expense.
Victoria
Victoria on December 11 applied the same rules for Northern Beaches visitors, who are already there or planning to travel to Victoria by midnight (17th of December).
However, the Victorian government will announce further details for travellers who arrive in the state after 19 December and have been in the hotspot region.
Northern Territory
Northern Beaches have officially been declared as the hotspot in Northern Territory.
Anyone arriving in NT from the mentioned area needs to self-isolate for two weeks.
Western Australia
All NSW residents travelling from Western Australia from today (18 December) will be required to quarantine and get tested on Day 11 of the isolation.
Anyone who has already arrived in WA after being in the hotspot areas will need to immediately self-isolate, get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible, and present a negative result if he wants to quit isolation, and get tested again on Day 11 after arriving in WA.
Tasmania
Officials in Tasmania have also declared Northern Beaches as the new hotspot.
Tasmania is not allowing anyone to enter to the state who visited the area on or since 11 December.
