Dj vu! Victoria's fifth lockdown ends, but less than a week later, the stateis plunged back into another long lockdown. lifting work restrictions on 20,000 student nurses so they can be engaged to help respond to the pandemic. [23] The lockdown started on 14 August,[24] and was extended several times. By New Year's Day, more than 22,000 cases a day were recorded and the spike saw queues snaking around the block of testing clinics. Here's how likely you are to get it more than once, Charting the COVID-19 spread: Australia passes 10,000 coronavirus deaths, 'They will forever know their dad was a hero': 1,000 mourners farewell slain NSW paramedic, There are 11 First Nations MPs and senators. Some events, such as Vivid Sydney were cancelled for the second year in a row. The NSW government announces that from May 15, the following will be allowed: The Victorian government announces an easing of restrictions, allowing: Time Out announces the winners of the Time In Awards, supporting businesses and organisations that pivoted tonew initiatives during lockdowns. Up to 20 people will still be allowed per booking, and people under 16 who are unvaccinated can also attend hospitality venues, but must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household. Events had to be ticketed, patrons seated and follow guidelines. When 80% vaccine coverage is reached, the cap will be removed, but the same density limit will apply. Dozens were forced to close to cope with the demand. It's Daphne' and he looks up, and he puts his hands out and he smiles and says, 'I love you'. Sydney's lockdown began in late June after a Delta variant outbreak took hold, leading to more than 50,000 infections and 439 deaths. A return for schools has been brought forward, with kindergarten and years 1 and 12 returning from 18 October, with all remaining students to return by 25 October. Here's how likely you are to get it more than once, Charting the COVID-19 spread: Australia passes 10,000 coronavirus deaths, 'They will forever know their dad was a hero': 1,000 mourners farewell slain NSW paramedic, There are 11 First Nations MPs and senators. Up to 20 people at an indoor funeral or 30 for an outdoor funeral; and, Attend places of worship and attend a funeral with up to 49 others; and. The first Covid-19 vaccine doses are administered in Australia. Local lockdown orders are reinstated in the northern beaches. However, resilient Sydneysiders say they're looking forward to the simple things a trip to the pub is on the wishlist for many. Simon Kozlina caught the virus from a family member on Christmas Day, though he had no symptoms. What more could you want?". Up to 10 visitors, double the previously announced limit of five, can gather at another persons home, but all adults who ordinarily live in the household must be fully vaccinated. Sydney, Australia, enters full lockdown for the first time in more than a year to fight the Delta variant. For 100 days, families and friends have been separated, businesses forced shut and people have lost their livelihoods across Greater Sydney. [61], During the second week of December 2020, an outbreak of COVID-19 in Avalon began. of the novel coronavirus. People in Melbourne start putting teddy bears in their windows for children to find on daily exercise walks. The NSW government says while most students will be learning from home next week, no child will be turned away from a campus. All NSW residents over 18 years-of-age were eligible to receive four A$25 vouchers through Service NSW to help stimulate the economy. We are constantly reviewing the health advice and will continue to update the community if any changes are required. There were more cases in Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, and Liverpool. 2 deaths of Queensland residents in NSW are reported under NSW Health's figures, but are excluded from this total. [15] and on 12 July 2021, the use of QR code check-ins in retail stores, hire vehicles and many other settings, became mandatory in all NSW. We are not there yet but the end is in sight, he said. They will all have to be vaccinated. Starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, people across the Sydney metropolitan area will be allowed to leave their homes only to exercise, seek medical attention, care for loved ones, buy food or carry out other essential activities. The first full-city lockdown for Sydney since early 2020 reflects a sudden rise in concern among officials in the state of New South Wales, who had been hoping that contact tracers and targeted isolation would be enough to keep the more contagious variant under control. Sydneyannounces lockdown measuresfor suburbs across the cityas the Bondi outbreak grows. Lockdown orders end for Sydney's northern beaches. The city has had six. Here's what they think of a Voice to Parliament, Soccer spectator accused of punching out teeth of referee in 'outrageous attack' refused bail, MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo remembered for 'wicked sense of humour' as it happened, US authorities scramble to rescue First Republic Bank before markets open, Musician Broderick Smith dies peacefully at home, aged 75, after career spanning decades, Women charged with criminal neglect after children were found living in 'uninhabitable' Adelaide home. The ship is later linked to up to 900 infections of Covid-19. Australia's largest city, Sydney, has emerged from Covid lockdown after almost four months, with locals celebrating a range of new freedoms. With an outbreak of the Delta variant spreading rapidly, Australian officials on Saturday introduced a strict two-week lockdown for all of greater Sydney and the regions surrounding the nations largest city. Anyone can read what you share. [58], Despite a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people, huge crowds flocked to the popular Bondi Beach and other beaches across Sydney on Friday 20 March. [13], The Victoria/New South Wales state border was closed from 8 July 2020 to 23 November, and from 1 January 2021 to 12 February. Victoria asks (but does not mandate) people to wear masks in public for the first time. Well, obviously, well evaluate the situation. We are constantly reviewing the health advice and will continue to update the community if any changes are required. National cabinet encourages wearing masks to combat COVID-19. On 21 March, crowds built up yet again which led Waverley Council to temporarily close Bondi, and the other beaches of Bronte and Tamarama. However, they will have to operate like a bar. [citation needed], Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield Georges River, Liverpool, and Parramatta were called the "8 LGAs of concern"[68], On 13 August 2021, restrictions on leaving Greater Sydney were tightened. Theme parks, racecourses, stadiums and other major recreation facilities are reopening with the one person per 4 sq metres rule, capped at 5,000 people. Gyms, cafes, restaurants, shops and hairdressers are reopening and people can travel more than 5km from home after the state surpassed 70 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage. The virus hit him harder the second time. Nightclubs, amusement centres and intimate services can open with one person per 4 sq metres. [25] Within a week Yass, Albury, Lismore, Hilltops and Glen Innes LGAs all had stay-at-home orders re-introduced,[26][27][28] and by 21September the Cowra, Kempsey, Byron and Tweed Shires' LGAs were also again under stay-at-home orders. [67] In May, masks became compulsory state-wide in certain settings, such as public transport and supermarkets. Victoria goes into lockdown for the third time. [14], 23 November, it became mandatory for many businesses to use electronic record systems to collect details of patrons for possible contact tracing. Restrictions in regional NSW remain unchanged. Cafs and restaurants to seat up to ten people at any one time; and. Couples who don't live together are permitted to visit in Victoria. [63] Residents of the Northern Beaches LGA were required to stay at home from 5pm on Saturday 19 December, until 11:59pm on Wednesday 23December unless they had a lawful reason to travel, including for: essential shopping; essential travel for work and to or from a school or educational institution; exercise; medical care, carer's responsibilities or compassionate needs. Into early 2021 events such as regional agricultural shows, and music festivals (Byron Bay Bluesfest and Groovin the Moo)[72][73] were cancelled. . The state government introduced restrictions on June 26, when it became clear that health authorities had lost control of the Delta outbreak. Theres more freedoms on the way once 80% are fully vaccinated and from 1 December the rules ease for unvaccinated people. Restrictions were even harsher for residents in Western and south-west Sydney. [4] Of citizens 16 and older, 96% had received their first dose, 94.6% received their second dose, and 60.2% had received their third dose of the vaccine. Melbourne exits its sixth lockdown, after 263 cumulative days. . [citation needed], On 17 March 2020, the New South Wales government announced a AU$2.3 billion stimulus package, including, Until 18 July 2020, international travellers who had to undergo compulsory quarantine on arrival did not have to pay for their accommodation, at a cost of A$65 million to the NSW Government. Entertainment and information facilities remain open under the one person per 4 sq metres rule or a 75% fixed seating capacity, whichever is larger. The Victoria/New South Wales state border was closed from 8 July 2020 to 23 November, and from 1 January 2021 to 12 February. Thats an increase of 10 from the previous cap. Weddings guests will now be allowed to eat and drink while standing. An A$200 on the spot fine could be charged for non-compliance. Initially, the stay-at-home orders were meant to last two weeks but over the last few months, restrictions have wound tighter. More restrictions will ease when 80% of over-16s are fully vaccinated. Will there be enough jobs? Up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. SinceJune 24, more than 1 million people in the state had received at least one disaster payment. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that there were 13,524 more deaths this year (17 per cent)over the long-term baseline by the end of June. [31], From 21 September, those aged 18 and less living in areas of concern, and areas under stay-at-home rules, can create a 3-person 'friends bubble' to visit each other for play activities[32], On 11 October, which some news media dubbed "Freedom Day", the 107 day lockdown in NSW was eased, mostly for the fully vaccinated. Visiting holidays homes will only be permitted under "special circumstances", and limited to one person. [60] On 29 June, the Dine and Discover stimulus scheme was extended for the second time, to 31 August, and now also allowed take-away food purchases. Only residents, guests, and those with bookings at bars, hotels and restaurants, were allowed in foreshore areas under a pass system. Protests also took place in Blacktown, Fairfield, Sutherland and Liverpool in Sydney, and Ballina, Cessnock, Dubbo, Grafton, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Mudgee, Nowra, Orange, Port Macquarie, Shellharbour and Wagga Wagga in regional NSW. for coronavirus. Try another? Victoria announces tough new lockdown measures, including the 5km rule and an overnight curfew. Mobility data collected by Google shows that movement around retail areas reduced by 41 percentage points, and public transport by 69 compared to pre-pandemic levels. The 78-year-old man had been a passenger aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship and was the first WA resident to test positive for the disease. And youre also allowed to leave the home for care and compassionate grounds as well. Even 'out' of lockdown many restrictions will remain in effect. Given the ongoing number of infectious cases in the community, the current lockdown will be extended for at least another two weeks until 11:59pm on Friday, 30 July. But everything changed on June 16. Is climate change killing Australian wine? [29][30] On 28 September the Port Macquarie and Muswellbrook Shire LGAs were both placed back into lockdown. "I want to go out, meet my friends, eat out and have a drink.". The Australian state of New South Wales has reported 30 new Covid cases on the second day of Greater Sydney's two-week lockdown. Personal services will open with one person per 4 sq metres, capped at five clients per premises at any one time. More than two years old, we've passed another grim milestone: 10,000 people have now died of Covid-19 in Australia. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/greater-sydney-marks-100-days-of-covid-19-lockdown/100506624, Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, Jock Zonfrillo, celebrated chef and judge on MasterChef Australia, dies aged 46, Major route into the Kokoda track appears to have been blockaded amid tour operator feud, Tony Abbott mounts attack on Voice after a spat with parliamentary committee, 'The worm goes global': Rita Ora wowed by Adelaide lobbyist's dancefloor moves, Female teacher admits sexual offences against teen student, fights 10 other charges, Fiji's former attorney-general arrested and charged with abuse of office, New Zealand PM in favour of country becoming a republic, Nurse driving home from shift among victims of triple-fatal crash involving allegedly stolen car, Lauren Cranston jailed for eight years over one of Australia's biggest tax frauds, Timely reminder: How to respond if you test positive to COVID-19. Restriction on funerals eased, but the four-square-metre rule applied. A cluster that began with an airport limousine driver has jumped to nearly 100 cases, with dozens more expected over the coming days. New NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has announced significant changes to the original roadmap out of lockdown that was announced by his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian at the beginning of September, giving fully-vaccinated residents greater freedoms than first planned. We already have this email. It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community. Many others have been enjoying anticipated reunions with relatives and friends. 1) Stage 2: minimal restrictions in place corresponding to the situation early in the NSW Delta outbreak 2) Stage 3: approximating restrictions in place in NSW, between 9 and 17 July (a soft lockdown) 3) Stage 4: Victorian style hard lockdown, put in place in NSW on 18 July. 2.2 Second wave: . Because of this, for those who were fully vaccinated, from 18 October mask wearing requirements, among others, and restrictions on numbers attending gatherings were eased, allowing more people to visit at home, gather outside, and at "controlled" (seated, fenced or ticketed) outdoor events. [59] In November 2021, two extra vouchers were granted, one for dining and one for entertainment. Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events. A man who had flown from Guandong, China, to Melbourne on January 19, 2020, tests positive for Covid-19, becoming Australias first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus. Household visits and travel had been banned beyond a 5km (3.1 mile) zone. [14] For much of the time the borders were open during 2021, people returning to NSW from Victoria were required to quarantine. To access medical care or provide caregiving. Lockdown measures ease in regional Victoria but remain in metropolitan Melbourne. Masks and QR code check ins are required indoors, but not in outdoor hospitality settings. People can now share meals together at reopened cafes and restaurants, and visit gyms, libraries and pools. Other existing restrictions, no more than 20 guests inside homes, 20 outside, remained in force. "Obviously, I'm thinking of dancing in the future but with COVID, it's sort of brought a reality check. There have been 4,860 COVID-related deaths in NSW in the last 12 months, 10 times higher than the first 18 months of the pandemic (495). Professor Martiniuk said everyone, but particularly healthcare workers, were tired after more than two years of the pandemic. Nonetheless, the escalating hospital numbers in January put hospitals and health workers under huge strain. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. More than 40 per cent of the NSW population have had COVID in the past year, though under-reporting of positive results, and infections that don't cause symptoms, means the number is likely to be far higher. [62], On 19 December 2020, a public health order was issued, locking down Sydney's Northern Beaches. We found the opportunity to say, 'let's be together, but let's help out in another avenue as well'.". NSW announces more of its restrictions will ease, allowing people in the state to: Then-NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces that from July 1, the following will be allowed: Victoria announcespostcodes 3038, 3064, 3047, 3060, 3012, 3032, 3055, 3042, 3021 and 3046 will go back into lockdown from July 2. 10 August 2021: 5,049 active cases: NSW sets new record with 356 COVID-19 cases, three deaths. Victoria adds 'outdoor recreation' to the reasons to leave home, allowing picnics for the first time since July. The cap of 100 guests remains. Non-urgent elective surgery was suspended for four weeks in January and February, causing record waiting times and the list to balloon to more than 100,000 people. "We're stoked to be back, we're having the best Monday in months, even before Covid," Pat Blake, the pub's licensee, told the BBC. Unvaccinated adults with a valid medical exemption will also enjoy the freedoms. Children under 12 wont be counted towards that limit. Anti-lockdown protest in Sydney city on the 21st August. It's been a gruelling three months for Daphne Thornton, whose partner John has dementia and lives in an aged care facility. Read about our approach to external linking. Authorities have flagged that Australians living abroad could travel back into Sydney next month, as the nation's borders reopen. , to be implemented by state governments: a ban on non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 or more people (including staff); a ban on outdoor gatherings of 500 or more people to continue in place; people only consider travel when it is essential; strict visitation rules for aged care facilities including a limit of two visitors a day and preferably no children under 16 years of age; social distancing measures of 1.5 metres; and. Indoor pools still only open for organised sport or rehabilitation, not recreation. Professor Martiniuk said Australians should applaud ourselves for having done the really hard yards but warned the pandemic was not over yet. Travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW was not yet permitted.[36]. [19] Restrictions were tightened again on 17 July. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! [56] On 9 June 2021, the Dine & Discover scheme was extended by a month to 31 July,[57] and on 29 June extended again to 31 August. "People are just ready to come back and sit down for a schooie [beer], see their friends, be somewhere there's always music playing," he said. Swagat Maharana, an IT worker from Granville, said working from home had been incredibly lonely. There were long queues for barbers and nail salons on Monday. As of 16January2021[update] twenty regional town shows scheduled for January or February 2021 had been postponed or cancelled in New South Wales.[74]. Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sq m. Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with uncapped capacities in line with the one person per 2 sq metres density rule. It started as one case, but within 10 days it had exploded and Greater Sydney was placed in a lockdown it will only begin to emerge from next week. It listed 16 reasonable excuses and took effect from midnight on 31 March. [5], Berejiklian gave daily press conferences for much of 2021, in which she gave updates of Covid statistics in the state and took questions. This 70% level was predicted to happen in mid-October. Currently, over 90% have received a first dose. [11] The order is enforceable by NSW Police and violations of the order can carry a prison term of six months, an $11,000 fine, or both. NSW Health noted in late February that some COVID-positive patients in hospital had been admitted for reasons other than the virus, potentially conflating them with people needing treatment for COVID. It spread to Melbourne and Canberra, prompting them to go into lockdown, as well as to New Zealand. February 12, 2021 Victoria goes into lockdown for the third time. Much harder to measure has been the impact on the mental health of the population. It's been pretty tough," Mr Dela Torre said. And obviously, youre allowed outside to purchase goods, essential goods and services. To date, more than 1.5 million cases, nearly half of the total, have been confirmed by RATs. A year ago today, Sydney emerged from its longest lockdown after the government lost control of the Delta outbreak more than 100 days earlier. . You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. The new freedoms introduced on Monday include having visitors to the home, going to restaurants and bars, and the reopening of most retail and service businesses including barbers and hairdressers. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. These services can now operate with up to 100 guests, with dancing permitted at weddings and eating and drinking only while seated. Places of worship will reopen subject to the one person per 4 sq metres rule, with singing only permitted for performers. Economic inequalities created by the pandemic particularly hit young Australians, she said, along with the effect of lockdowns. National cabinet encourages wearing masks to combat COVID-19. Mr Kozlina caught COVID again in the second Omicron peak in March. No set upper limit on patron numbers at indoor venues, but only one person per 4 square metres. 5.4 Health. There will be no limit on how many visitors can enter a household, and there will be no limits on informal outdoor gatherings. [14] Contact tracing [ edit] [62], By 20December, there were 68 cases. [11] Jury trials were suspended to limit the spread of coronavirus. Gyms and fitness studios can reopen with up to ten people per class and 100 people in an indoor venue; Childrens sport and community sports competition can resume; and. Trips between greater Sydney and regional NSW will be permitted. [64] Measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Sydney were again tightened. The New South Wales government has announced an extension of the lockdown in greater Sydney to 16 July, and flagged the possibility of further restrictions for some areas in the city as Covid-19 . The investigation now spills beyond the Sydney CBD to Wollongong, as a man who visited Bondi Junction contracts COVID-19 and infects a household member . [4], Former premier Gladys Berejiklian formed a "war cabinet" to make decisions in relation to the pandemic. [45] Up to 6:00pm on 23 February in NSW, 3,200 people were immunised across three state-run hospitals. This chronology summarises key announcements from state and territory governments on COVID-19 up until 30 June 2020. announcements made, but is not designed to be exhaustive. Unless we have to work outside the home or get educated outside the home and given school holidays, that obviously doesnt apply. Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown is announced. Dancing can resume at nightclubs. Australia is one of many countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region that continue to struggle with the ups and downs of the coronavirus, mainly because of new variants and a slow rollout of vaccines, which have been in short supply outside the United States, Europe and China. Health officials have asked for extra doses from Australias federal government, and demand for the vaccines has skyrocketed after months of complacency. These facilities will open under the one person per 4 sq metres rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people. His wife was the second. No one is coming in. News; NSW; NSW Covid pandemic scandals: Biggest headlines during 2021 lockdown. HSC student Joshua Dela Torre is not only grappling with schoolwork, but also his future as a dancer. [48], During the Higher School Certificate exams in 2021, the Commonwealth government allowed NSW Health to rebook vaccinations affected by reallocation of doses to year 12 students in south west and western Sydney. Masks and QR codes will still be required. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? 1.24North Korea 1.25Pakistan 1.26Philippines 1.27Russia 1.28Singapore 1.29South Africa 1.30Thailand 1.31United Kingdom 1.32United States 1.33Vietnam 1.33.1Nationwide isolation 1.33.2Da Nang 1.33.3Ho Chi Minh city and southern provinces 2Countries and territories without lockdowns 3Notes 4References Toggle the table of contents With daily case numbers in the tens of thousands, NSW health officialsand Victorian authorities are cautiously optimistic that the state has passed the peak of the current Omicron outbreak. For 100 days, families and friends have been separated, businesses forced shut and people have lost their livelihoods across Greater Sydney. Unfortunately, we have to.. The Victorian government cancels the F1 Grand Prix, hours before the event. "I had pain through everywhere, headaches, tiredness, brain fog, the whole range.". What does that mean? Sydneysidersare restricted to 5km of home. Instead, after initially resisting a full lockdown, officials said on Saturday that strict citywide stay-at-home orders were necessary because they had found several additional chains of transmission around the city among people who had been infectious for days. [5] Members include herself, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott. "We must adjust our mindset. 28 July 2021, 2,343 active cases: Greater Sydney construction to reopen this week. Now almost every restriction has been abandoned, with the exception of wearing masks in hospitals and aged care homes. The first confirmed case in New South Wales was identified on 19 January 2020 in Sydney where three travellers returning from Wuhan, Hubei, China, tested positive for the virus. Retail, entertainment venues, personal services such as hairdressers and spas, and hospitality venues can all operate subject to one person per 2 square metres, with no patron caps. [16], On 30 March, NSW Parliament passed the "COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement" law, which limited public gatherings to two people and directed, "that a person must not, without reasonable excuse, leave the person's place of residence." About40 COVID-related deaths were recordedin the last week. are permitted to leave the ship in Sydney without being tested for Covid-19. Over 45,000 people were tested for COVID "overnight". The rest of Victoria goes back into lockdown, as Sydney restrictions ease further. Community sport will be allowed to restart, while the density rule of one person per 4 sq metres remains for gyms, classes still capped at 20. But if the venue has an outdoor section, patrons can stand up and drink in that area from 11 October. "When you take someone's job away you also take their identity away," Mr Helou said. At least 79 protests occurred, including outside the NSW Parliament building and Byron Shire Council Chambers in Mullumbimby. Health minister says Victoria will open for summer; Everest race day doubles capacity to 10,000; NSW lockdown lifts - as it happened. Residents of regional LGAs can travel to other areas, but cannot enter Sydney for holidays. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham) NSW Health began accepting RATs as proof of infection on January 13. Thanks for subscribing! [8] She resigned two weeks later. Locals rushed to get vaccinated once more vaccines arrived in the country and then-Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the state's vaccine targets. Children under 12 wont be counted towards that limit. Most restrictions have now been eased for fully vaccinated people. Health Minister Greg Hunt said that such behaviour was "unacceptable" while the New South Wales Labor's Shadow Treasurer, Walt Secord urged the government to completely close off the beach. The cap of five clients per premises at any one time will be scrapped. Entry to the area was similarly restricted. At this time, the vouchers had been used by less than 10% of the 5 million who could use it. Graphs are temporarily unavailable due to technical issues. Outdoor venues, with a maximum capacity of 40,000, were allowed up to 25 per cent of normal capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). These include the reasons listed in Victoria, in addition to things like attending weddings or funerals. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with members of their household. Children under 16 who arent yet vaccinated can attend places that have reopened, provided they are accompanied by an adult from their household who is fully vaccinated.