McGowan urges NSW to do what is necessary’ to halt spread of cluster19/12/2020|8min
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has urged the New South Wales Government to “do what is necessary” to put a halt to the spread of Sydney’s coronavirus cluster.
It comes as Premier McGowan announced Western Australia is reinstating its hard border to New South Wales, effective from 12.01am December 20.
As the coronavirus cluster in Sydney s Northern Beaches continues to grow, New South Wales recorded 23 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, with seven reported in overseas travellers.
“It is clear New South Wales will record further cases in coming days, the situation is extremely concerning,” Premier McGowan said.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore Noel Cornish said organisers were bitterly disappointed at the decision.
It came as the virus returned to Sydney s inner city, with upmarket Surry Hills eatery Nomad alerting patrons a diner who attended on Wednesday, December 16 has tested positive and they should immediately get tested.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan moved NSW from a low-risk state to a medium-risk state and reinstated a hard border from midnight. Travel from NSW to WA will no longer be permitted unless an exemption applies.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian pleaded with all Sydneysiders to limit their activities over the next few days and stay home unless you really have to go out, threatening to reimpose restrictions as soon as Sunday morning.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has suggested NSW should adopt the same strict lockdown measures Victoria and South Australia put in place after their recent second wave scares to crush and kill the growing numbers from Sydney s Northern Beaches cluster.
He commended the efforts put in place by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and SA Premier Steven Marshall and said he will do whatever he needs to keep WA safe from infection. I think New South Wales should go to tougher measures, Mr McGowan said.
Mark McGowan addresses the media about Sydney Northern Beaches outbreak.(9News)
READ MORE: They took it incredibly seriously and they dealt with it and it looked like their measures worked, he said.
Sydney s covid cluster grows to 28 cases with locals told to stay home and wear masks - as Gladys Berejiklian reveals shocking details of how an air crew broke isolation to go out and party
Northern Beaches cluster has grown to 28 cases after thousands of residents queued up to get Covid tests
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ordered 270,000 residents from the Spit Bridge to Palm Beach to stay at home
The source of the cluster, which was identified on Wednesday, has not been identified but is from overseas
All states and territories have imposed varying levels of border restrictions, jeopardising Christmas
Victorian health minister has told Sydneysiders don t come to Victoria and urged Victorians not to travel
The best defence against COVID-19 is border closure : McGowan18/12/2020|8min
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan announced no additional changes to the WA-NSW border, but said he has no qualms about toughing up border controls should health authorities recommend it.
Premier McGowan announced at midnight on Thursday New South Wales was classified as a low risk area and any traveller from there entering Western Australia would need to self-quarantine for 14 and present for testing on day 11.
“I understand the changes made have thrown many peoples plans into disarray, but we cannot afford to take unnecessary risks here,” Mr McGowan said.
“There is no doubt New South Wales is on the verge of a serious outbreak and we must do all we can to keep our state safe.