NSW records five new local cases of Covid-19, one death; Premier Berejiklian calls for “absolute restraint” while celebrating New Year


Sydney Habour Bridge & Opera House Fireworks on New Year’s Eve 2008. (Image: Hai Linh Truong/Flickr)

Sydney, Australia:

New South Wales has recorded five new local cases of Covid-19 within the community – four are linked to the Avalon cluster and the fifth case is a previously reported case whose source of infection is under investigation. With the additional four cases, the Avalon cluster now stands at 126 cases.

NSW Health has recorded one death related to Covid-19. The man, in his seventies, died on December 21, and was suffering from respiratory illness. He had contracted the virus in March, and although he tested negative at the time of death, his death certificate showed links to ongoing complications with the virus.

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has called for “absolute restraint” while observing New Year’s celebrations. NSW frontline workers will no longer be invited to watch the fireworks on the Sydney Harbour fireworks, and residents have been advised to stay away from Sydney CBD to avoid over-crowding.

Stay-at-home orders for the northern beaches have been extended:

The northern zone of the Northern Beaches will be allowed indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to five visitors from the same zone on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The southern zone of the Northern Beaches will be allowed 10 visitors in total from within the same zone on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

For more information on public health advices and ongoing restrictions, please visit www.nsw.gov.au