SYDNEY – Two Australian condominium blocks have been positioned below strict lockdown with residents barred from leaving on Tuesday, as authorities stepped up efforts to curb a fast-growing coronavirus outbreak.
Police had been posted exterior an condominium block in Sydney’s Bondi neighbourhood, the place 9 individuals have examined optimistic for the virus, with motion out and in of the constructing restricted.
Sydney’s 5 million residents are at the moment of their third week of a partial lockdown as authorities attempt to stamp out the unfold of the virus in the neighborhood.
Residents in Australia’s largest metropolis are allowed to go away residence for train, important procuring, work or well being causes, however are inspired to stay at residence.
Harder restrictions are positioned on individuals who have visited areas which can be declared a virus hotspot, which can embrace obligatory 14-day quarantine.
Australia’s newest Covid-19 outbreak started in mid-June and has since grown to 767 circumstances.
A whole condominium block in Melbourne was additionally positioned below isolation for 14 days, after removing staff who visited from Sydney examined optimistic.
Authorities at the moment are asking Australians residing in different condominium buildings to put on a masks when in frequent areas.
“While you’re in condominium buildings, we’re not wanting you to congregate in any shared areas,” mentioned New South Wales chief well being official Kerry Chant.
“We’re actually requiring below a public well being order that you just put on masks once you’re transiting by frequent areas.”
Residents in a single southwest Sydney neighbourhood, the place the virus is at the moment spreading most shortly, at the moment are required to get examined each three days in the event that they go away the world for work.
Beneath 10 p.c of Australians have been absolutely vaccinated, leaving the inhabitants extremely susceptible to the quick-spreading Delta variant.
Sydney’s lockdown had been scheduled to finish on Friday, however an extension is now trying probably, regardless of a drop in new infections to 89 prior to now 24 hours.
