16 new cases have been detected in Sydney overnight, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing strict new restrictions in order to combat Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs coronavirus outbreak. 

NSW COVID cases update

At 8pm yesterday, there had been 10 cases of community transmission, two of which were new.

One of those was a child in a childcare centre named Little Zack’s in Narellan Vale (outside of the Eastern Suburbs area) and one was a man who attended the West Hoxton birthday party. 

In addition, an Australian traveller who visited Wellington has also tested positive for COVID-19.

NSW reports 14 new COVID-19 cases

In the 24 hours since the previous update, NSW has recorded an additional 13 cases of community transmission, eight of which were at the same party in Hoxton Park.

The 9th case was a patient in the waiting room from of the case that was mentioned yesterday.

Four cases are still under investigation, but are believed to be in close proximity to the existing Eastern Suburbs cluster.

“The NSW government will be taking action today to limit the spread of what is a very contagious variant,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“This variant of covid is causing transmission in very fleeting exchanges… Our government will take action today to limit the spread of what is a very contagious variant of Covid,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian. 

NSW Premier announces new COVID restrictions

The new restrictions are in effect for the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area from 4pm today, Wednesday 23rd June for an additional week. The areas covered by these restrictions include the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas.

The new NSW COVID-19 restrictions include the following. 

Masks mandatory indoors, including at workplaces

• Masks are mandatory indoors, including at workplaces
• Masks are mandatory inside hospitality venues, unless you are eating or drinking
• Mandatory mask-wearing on public transport, hire vehicles, taxis and rideshare vehicles has also been extended
• Masks will be mandatory at sporting events, and other major events including outdoor events, with exceptions only for eating and drinking
• Masks are not required if you’re exercising outdoors or driving

New gathering restrictions for Sydney

• No more than five visitors to your home, including children. 
• No vertical consumption at hospitality venues, everyone must be seated. 
• No mingling at hospitality venues 
• No singing or dancing at any venue aside from weddings
• No more than 20 people on the dance floor at any given time
• Social distancing will return to the mandate of the one person per four square metres 
• The recommended capacity for major events is 50%, although no mandatory restrictions were announced
• Gym classes are now limited to 20 people maximum 
• Public transport will return to ‘green dots’ to ensure appropriate social distancing
• People are also being encouraged to abandon non-essential socialising and gatherings. 

Sydney COVID travel restrictions

In addition, Sydney residents can no longer travel beyond metropolitan Sydney, unless the travel is essential. 

“If you live or work in the 7 LGAs you cannot travel beyond metropolitan Sydney,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian. 

The new restrictions are effective immediately with compliance required from 4pm today. 

“We have seen in just the last week or so [that] the numbers have gone from our first case to more than 30 cases very quickly,” said Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

“We have gone from that near and present danger to a very real and present danger not just in a shopping centre but right across Sydney.”

“What we’re putting in place now is in a bid to prevent us having to take further action,” said Premier Berejiklian.

For full details on the new restrictions, visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/what-you-can-do-nsw