SYDNEY: Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales on Saturday (Jan 2) made masks mandatory and imposed new restrictions as its coronavirus cluster expanded by seven, whereas neighboring Victoria recorded 10 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian banned dancing and singing at nighttime clubs while restricting numbers at gym classes, weddings, funerals, and places of worship.
However, the five-day cricket test match between Australia and India, scheduled to start on Thursday, will go ahead with attendance at 50 percent capacity.
“We think about health and security first and foremost, however, we also want to consider well-being and jobs and the economy,” Berejiklian informed reporters in Sydney.
“And that is why by putting these measures and settings in place we’re assured we will proceed to extend and encourage economic activity, give confidence to business and jobs, but also, in fact, keep the virus at bay.”
NSW, which has near 200 active COVID-19 cases, will levy a A$200 (US$154) fine for not sporting masks with the rule being enforced from Monday.
Victoria, which now has 29 active cases, this week made masks necessary throughout the state whereas limiting gatherings and shutting its border to NSW, prompting lengthy delays at border checkpoints on New Yr’s Day.
Authorities on Saturday stated genomic sequencing confirmed the Victoria outbreak was directly linked to the NSW cluster, vindicating the decision to close borders.
“On account of the learnings that we’ve gone via, we’ve taken the view that the responses we’ve put in place are proportionate and truthful. Victorians have rather a lot at stake here,” Victorian health minister Martin Foley stated.
South Australia state recorded another day of zero cases while Tasmania, which is COVID free, banned guests from parts of Victoria. Queenslanders were urged to reassess travel plans to NSW and Victoria.
