Confusion as Sydney wakes to harsh new lockdown restrictions Sydney has woken to its harshest COVID-19 restrictions since the pandemic began after 111 cases were recorded yesterday. Construction has been halted and only certain essential retail stores remain open in tough new COVID-19 rules that have been put in place until at least July 30. In the Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool local government areas it is now only emergency service and healthcare workers who can leave their home for work. READ MORE: Shoppers in Fairfield before tighter restrictions on movement out of the area come into force.(Brook Mitchell) Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone said there was widespread confusion over the new rules for locals in south west Sydney.