The partial reprieve from lockdown for residents of Sydney's northern beaches is now in force, with people at the epicentre of the recent COVID-19 outbreak able to welcome five visitors to their homes.
NSW will have a four-tiered system of restrictions between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day before returning to previous settings, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Wednesday.
The approach has seen the northern beaches split in two, with the toughest conditions reserved for those north of the Narrabeen Bridge. The area is the epicentre of the recent cluster, which now totals 97 infections.
Residents can now host up to five people in their homes, as long as the visitors live in that designated zone.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday announced a temporary easing of coronavirus restrictions for Christmas. Source: AAP
Ten visitors are allowed to households in the southern part of the region, but locals must not leave the area for gatherings elsewhere. Primary school-aged children and younger are not included in the ten.
Pubs and clubs are still closed in the northern beaches, with residents only permitted to leave their homes for a limited set of reasons.
Restrictions for regional NSW remain unchanged, while up to 10 people and unlimited children aged under 12 will be permitted to visit another home over the three-day period.
All people on the northern beaches have been told to avoid visiting aged care facilities, while those in Greater Sydney have been advised to take extreme care.
Thousands of people will continue to self-isolate over Christmas after visiting a venue at the same time as a COVID-19 positive case.
NSW again recorded eight locally transmitted coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, with seven connected to the Avalon cluster.
The outbreak is likely to not only change Sydneysiders' Christmas plans, but their New Year's Eve plans too.
The Australian Medical Association has called on the NSW government to cancel Sydney's iconic fireworks display.
"The NSW government should consider cancelling the New Year's Eve fireworks display to discourage crowds and avoid any confusion in its public messaging," federal AMA president Omar Khorshid said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We must be prepared to tighten general restrictions even further if we continue to see evidence of the virus spreading in areas outside of the northern beaches."
A decision about the New Year will be made after Christmas.
All state and territory borders are closed to people travelling from Greater Sydney.
New exposure sites announced on Wednesday evening
MUST GET TESTED AND SELF ISOLATE FOR 14 DAYS:
Avalon: Alma Avalon Restaurant, on Wednesday 16 December, 8.30pm until close
Macquarie Park: Premier Academy League Under 8s Macquarie University Soccer Fields, Macquarie University Soccer Fields, Macquarie Park on Sunday 13 December 9.15am - 10.45am
Mona Vale: Mona Vale Fitness First, Pittwater Place Shopping Centre, 10 Park St Mona Vale on Thursday December 17 all day
MUST GET TESTED AND ISOLATE UNTIL NEGATIVE:
Sydney: MLC Building food court, Martin Place Sydney on Tuesday December 15 1pm-2pm
MONITOR FOR SYMPTOMS:
Collaroy: De'assis Collaroy Cafe, Collaroy on Saturday December 12 9:15am-10:10am
GET TESTED AND ISOLATE UNTIL FURTHER INFORMATION IS RELEASED:
Bondi: Bondi Icebergs Club (Pool Deck Level) on Sunday December 20 8-9:30am andMonday December 21 7am-8am
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: , , , , , , , .
