Sydney residents in lockdown since before Christmas have woken to newfound freedom just as NSW is being warned about coronavirus variants.
Residents north of Narrabeen Bridge on Sydney’s Northern Beaches have finally had their stay-at-home orders lifted.
However, Premier Gladys Berejiklian says more cases of the mutated United Kingdom and South African variants of COVID-19 will turn up in Australians returning home and spending time in hotel quarantine systems.
She also believes mask usage will be mandatory for the foreseeable future.
NSW recorded one new locally-acquired case of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.
The single local infection was a contact of a case linked to the Berala cluster, which now numbers 21, and came from more than 25,000 tests.
There were also five new cases in travellers in hotel quarantine.
NSW Health is updating its list of exposure sites across the state here.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania.
