December 23, 2020
2 mins read

Sydney extends curbs for Christmas

Most Sydney residents will continue to be able to have 10 adult visitors to their home over the holiday period…reports Asian Lite News

Authorities in Australia’s largest city Sydney have extended the Covid-19 restrictions on social gatherings across Christmas in a bid to curb an outbreak.

Most Sydney residents will continue to be able to have 10 adult visitors to their home over the holiday period, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

But in a slight relaxation of rules, young children can be included on top of that number between December 24-26.

Sydney saw just eight new cases on Wednesday, fuelling optimism about efforts to contain the outbreak.

The New South Wales (NSW) state government said a total of 98 cases had been found in the state capital since last week.

More than 124,000 residents had been tested in the past three days alone – a local record.

There have been almost no locally transmitted cases reported elsewhere in Australia in recent days.

The outbreak was discovered last week in the city’s Northern Beaches region, prompting an immediate lockdown of residents.

However, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said officials were still unable to trace how the virus got into the community so a lockdown will continue until Sunday.

“We want to make sure that there aren’t strains or lines of community transmission that we haven’t found yet,” she said on Wednesday.

She revealed that the southern half of that community would be allowed to host 10 visitors for Christmas. In the northern half – where the outbreak began – only five visitors would be permitted.



But residents in both zones were still barred from leaving their local area, she added.

Sydney residents have been told they should not visit nursing homes over Christmas and mask-wearing in public has been encouraged.

They also remain banned from travelling to other states and territories, preventing holiday plans for many families, after restrictions imposed earlier this week.

Queensland, the neighbouring state to the north of NSW, said it had turned away more than 120 people who had tried to cross the border since Tuesday.

Berejiklian has criticised neighbouring states for what she has described as a “disproportionate” response to a localised outbreak in the state capital.

Other areas of NSW – such as regional cities – remain unaffected but some states, such as Western Australia, have banned all NSW residents.

“In NSW, not only are we cautious with our approach, but I think we assess the risk well and then make decisions according to that, unlike some of my other state colleagues who have taken what I think are over-reaching actions,” Berejiklian said.

Also read:Australia shuts borders with Sydney amid Covid cluster

Previous Story

@POTUS account to begin from zero with Biden

Next Story

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai gets bail

Latest from -Top News

Ould Tah to head AfDB

Tah, a seasoned economist and development financier, will formally assume office on 1 September 2025, taking over from Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the

Big pay bump for SA workers

The landmark move, which follows months of intense negotiations with trade unions, is expected to benefit millions of civil servants across national and provincial departments. South Africa’s government has confirmed a sweeping

Deadly floods ravage Nigeria

Triggered by torrential rains and the collapse of a nearby dam on May 28, 2025, the floods have submerged vast areas, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced thousands of residents. The death toll from

Piyush Goyal Begins Europe Visit

As part of the visit, the minister will meet top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L’Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of

Call to Greylist Pakistan Over Terror Links

Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, said that it is high time for the world to acknowledge that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terrorism in the region….reports Asian Lite News
Go toTop