Greater Sydney’s lockdown will be extended, the NSW premier has confirmed, as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continues to increase.
Gladys Berejiklian officially announced the lockdown, which covers Sydney, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour, will go for another four weeks.
The lockdown is now set to end on August 28, Berejiklian said on Wednesday.
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The extension comes after another 177 cases were confirmed, with at least 46 of those infectious in the community.
NSW also recorded one new death related to COVID, taking the number of deaths in the outbreak to 11.
A woman, aged in her 90s, died at Liverpool Hospital on Tuesday.
She was unvaccinated and tested positive to the virus on July 24.
From midnight on Wednesday, the Georges River, Parramatta and Campbelltown council areas will join five other local government areas with tighter restrictions.
Workers in the eight LGAs, including Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Cumberland and Blacktown, are not allowed to leave their area for work unless they are exempt.
Construction, singles bubble, schools
Non-occupied construction sites outside the eight council areas of concern will reopen on Monday, Berejiklian added.
A singles bubble, which will allow people living alone to have one visitor, has also been confirmed.
Berejiklian said the rule around shopping will also change to restrict people from going further than 10km from their home.
Year 12 students will return to classrooms on August 16, with rapid antigen testing to be introduced, the premier confirmed.
Students aged 16 to 18 who are from those eight LGAs will be vaccinated, with Pfizer doses to be diverted to Sydney from regional NSW.
“My key message is - we need to hold course, we all have our part to play in getting through this,” Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.
“Every time you leave your house, believe that you are coming into contact with someone with COVID.
“Do not interact with others.
“If we all act diligently to make sure that we do not have any contact with others outside the household, it will help us get on top of this.”
More financial support
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet also announced the JobSaver program will be expanded to ensure more businesses are eligible for cash payments.
The turnover threshold for eligible businesses will be expanded to $250 million, from $50 million.
The maximum weekly payments for businesses will increase to $100,000, from $10,000.
Individual disaster payments, made by the federal government will also be expanded.
There are currently 165 COVID patients being treated in hospital, 56 of whom are in intensive care.
Of those in ICU, 22 are being ventilated.
More than 94,000 people came forward to get tested in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.