A police officer is verifying entry permits in Victoria at a border checkpoint in Mallacoota, Australia on December 31, 2020.
Photographer: Diego Fedele / Getty Images
Photographer: Diego Fedele / Getty Images
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Health authorities are warning Australians to remain vigilant even if signs indicate that coronavirus groups in the nation’s two most populous states are being brought under control.
New South Wales said on Sunday it had detected it eight cases transmitted locally in the last 24 hours, compared to seven the previous day. The outbreak in the state came from a cluster native to Sydney’s Northern Beaches region, which has spread to other parts of the city and has now infected more than 150 people.
Neighboring Victoria has detected three new cases in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Sunday. The account decreased from 10 new cases registered the day before.
Australian health authorities have struggled to reach the top of the groups that have disrupted the peak of the summer holidays. The nation succeeded it largely suppresses community transmissions through rigorous testing and contact tracking, by imposing restrictions on international arrivals, and by isolating all travelers returning from abroad to quarantine hotels for 14 days.
The outbreak in Sydney stimulated the government in the New South Wales tightening restrictions on social distancing. From Monday, people in Australia’s largest city who did not wear masks indoors, such as shops, churches and public transport, will be fined $ 200 ($ 154).
More than 18,900 people in New South Wales were tested on Saturday. Interim Premier John Barilaro on Sunday called for an increase to maintain the state’s record for limiting outbreaks.
Victoria virus response commander Jeroen Weimar also urged residents of his state to maintain testing levels, especially if they returned from the New South Wales after their common border was closed. on Saturday, in an attempt to contain groups.
“People still need to be careful and aware that this is not over yet,” Weimar said.