Sydney Extends Its Two Week Lockdown Through 16th July Amid Delta Variant Risks

Sydney’s 14-day lockdown will be further prolonged for another week, due to the risk of Delta variant spreading among its mostly unvaccinated population. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian stated that the proposal to continue restrictions until July 16 was based on expert recommendations. The lockdown will encompass the entire metropolitan area of Sydney as well as other neighboring areas. A majority of schools, businesses, and other public areas will be closed until next week.

According to authorities, only 13 of the 27 new patients of the Delta variant that were recorded on Wednesday, had remained in quarantine while being sick. Coronavirus’s Delta variant is considered to be far more infectious than the original virus or other variations. A total of only 9% of Australians are vaccinated. This factor is raising concerns that the Delta variant will swiftly proliferate out of control. According to Berejiklian, lockdowns will be unnecessary after the vast proportion of citizens have been vaccinated. Upwards of 300 cases are being traced back to a limo chauffeur who was confirmed to be infected on June 16. He is suspected to have contracted the virus while transporting an American aircraft staffer from the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

Nearly 50% of Australia’s population was quarantined last week. Several cities on the west, east, and north coastlines intensified lockdown restrictions owing to COVID clusters, with most of these lockdowns lasting only three days. Sydney remains the only part of Australia that is currently under lockdown. Throughout the epidemic, Australia has been very effective in lowering the potential for any outbreaks. The country has recorded less than 31,000 infections and 910 fatalities in total. Since October, Australia has only documented one COVID-19 death: an 80-year-old individual who died in April after contracting the virus while travelling abroad and tested positive during hotel quarantine. However, there are presently 37 COVID-19 patients in Sydney hospitals, of which 7 are in critical condition.