Australia’s state of New South Wales has reported 30 new Covid cases on the second day of a two-week closure in Greater Sydney.
The extended restrictions and lockdowns now include 5 Million people in Greater Sydney, as well as the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.
The new delta variant cases are now a total of 110 in Australia.
Cases Expected To Rise
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday said that the administration expected the number of cases to rise in the near term.
“Given the prevalence of the virus, we expect that in the next few days, the number of cases may increase even more than we have seen today because we see that people in isolation, unfortunately, would have already transmitted to all their house contacts,” she said.
Restrictions and Lockdowns
Orders to stay at home will remain in place until 9 July throughout Greater Sydney and other specified locations.
Police said they would use digital detection technology to track vehicles and make sure people did not stray away from the restricted area.
In the Northern region, Darwin and two other cities were closed for 48 hours after four reported cases.
Travel Bubble With New Zealand
On Saturday, New Zealand suspended its uninterrupted air travel bubble with Australia for three days due to the recent outbreak.
The arrangement between the two neighbors was opened in April. Travel between New Zealand and parts of Australia was temporarily closed as the outbreak occurred, but this is the first time the arrangement has been shut down with all regions of Australia.
Australia has been keeping very low Covid transfer rates and this is the first major outbreak in Sydney – the largest city – since December.
Formidable Enemy
State Health Minister Brad Hazzard described Delta’s diversity – which first appeared in India – as “a formidable enemy”.
“Whatever precautions we take now, the virus seems to understand how to fight the attack,” he said.
In a video message, Prime Minister Scott Morrison thanked the citizens for their patience and perseverance, adding: “Together, Sydney, we will get through this.”
