02.01.2021
3 min read

Sydney makes face masks mandatory as another mystery COVID-19 case emerges

Two more venues have also been added to a growing list of locations exposed to COVID-19

Western Sydney now the focus in COVID fight

Masks will become mandatory in some indoor settings across Greater Sydney from midnight Saturday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced.

The move comes as the state records a further seven locally acquired cases of COVID-19.

While the mask mandate will begin at midnight Saturday, enforcement won’t begin until Monday with a $200 on-the-spot fine for non-compliance.

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From that deadline, masks will be compulsory in shopping settings including retail, supermarkets and shopping centres, on public and shared transport, during indoor entertainment including cinemas and theatres, places of worship, hair and beauty premises.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Credit: AAP

Face masks will also be mandatory for all staff in hospitality venues and casinos.

“If you go to shopping centres, are catching public transport, attending an entertainment venue like the cinema, you have to wear a mask,” Berejiklian told reporters on Saturday.

“We want people in NSW to be able to go about their business as much as possible but we need to reduce the risks in certain settings where we know there are challenges.”

But masks aren’t the only new rule.

New mask rules

From midnight Saturday, the following mask changes will apply to residents in Greater Sydney including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains:

Face masks will be mandatory in the following indoor settings:

  • Shopping (retail, supermarkets and shopping centres)
  • Public/shared transport
  • Indoor entertainment (including cinemas and theatres)
  • Places of worship
  • Hair and beauty premises
  • Face masks will also be mandatory for all staff in hospitality venues and casinos and for patrons using gaming services

Other new rules

From midnight Saturday, the following rules will also apply to residents in Greater Sydney including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains:

  • Gym classes reduced to 30 people.
  • Places of worship and religious services limited to 1 person per 4sqm up to a maximum of 100 people per separate area.
  • Weddings and funerals limited to 1 person per 4sqm up to a maximum of 100 people.
  • Outdoor performances and protests reduced to 500 people.
  • Controlled, outdoor gatherings (seated, ticketed, enclosed) reduced to 2,000 people.
  • Night clubs not permitted.

The southern zone of the Northern Beaches will also move to the same restrictions as Greater Sydney while the restrictions for the northern zone of the Northern Beaches will remain the same until January 9.

Case alert

People queue up in their cars to be tested at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility next to the Avalon RSL. Credit: DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAPIMAGE

Of the new locally acquired cases, five are from western and south-western Sydney and linked to the Berala cluster which now numbers seven and one is a household contact of a previously reported case.

One other, however, a person who resides in inner south-western Sydney, remains under investigation.

NSW Health issued a fresh plea to those in western and south-western Sydney – particularly those who live or work in Greystanes, Auburn, Lidcombe and Berala – to get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms.

The new cases also prompted authorities to place the following venues on alert.

  • Australian Motor Traders, Haberfield Road on Tuesday 29 December from 4.30pm to 5pm
  • Officeworks Punchbowl, Canterbury Road, on Tuesday 29 December from 3.45pm to 4.45pm.

Anyone who visited the two venues during these periods should get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.

PM backs SCG Test

The number of unlinked COVID-19 cases in Sydney will help determine whether the SCG is at 50 per cent capacity for the third cricket Test, which Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he would love to attend.

The four-Test series between Australia and India resumes at the SCG on Thursday, with Cricket Australia’s board opting against a late change to its schedule.

Sydney is STILL pushing towards a crowd capacity of 50 per cent at the SCG for the third Test despite fears of a major virus outbreak - so should they give it up? Credit: DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAPIMAGE

The NSW government remains confident fans will be able to attend the match.

NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay, health expert Norman Swan and some epidemiologists have questioned whether that is wise.

But the state’s stance drew support from the highest office in the country on New Year’s Day.

“I have great confidence in the decisions the NSW government is making in relation to these matters,” Scott Morrison told reporters.

“Whatever level of crowd they ultimately decide is appropriate for that public event, I am sure will be based on health advice.

“On that basis, I’m comfortable with those decisions.

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