Sydney lockdown extended by another month as Covid cases spike

Sydney’s lockdown has been extended by another month as Covid cases continue to rise. Australia’s largest city has been under stay-at-home orders since late June due to an outbreak of the Delta variant.

More than 2,500 people have been infected in Sydney’s worst outbreak this year.

New South Wales – of which Sydney is the capital – reported 177 new cases on Wednesday, the most in a day since March 2020.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, it was not possible for the city to exit lockdown on Friday as had been



planned.

She announced further curbs on movement – including a 10km limit on essential shopping.

Victoria and South Australia both came out of lockdowns yesterday, after containing smaller outbreaks.

Sydney’s five million residents had enjoyed a fairly normal lifestyle this year until the outbreak happened. Experts warn that restrictions in Sydney could last until September or even later.

Authorities say they cannot re-open until the transmission rate is back to near zero.