Australia introduced new restrictions in Sydney on Sunday in an attempt to stem the recent emergence of new cases of coronavirus in the country’s largest city.
Since the appearance of a new epidemic on Thursday, 68 new contaminations have been recorded, including 30 on Sunday, raising concern for health authorities.
On Saturday, residents of several neighborhoods along the coast north of the city, were ordered to stay at home and only go out if needed until midnight Wednesday.
Beaches, bars and hotels in this area have been closed as Sydney’s estimated 5 million residents have been urged to stay at home as much as possible in the days to come.
The state of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, decreed Sunday the ban on singing and dancing in closed places except on the occasion of small weddings and during religious services.
“This is the time of the year when we all love to sing, but right now, dancing and singing is probably one of the most dangerous things you can do,” the Minister of Health warned. State, Brad Hazzard.
Restaurants, bars and cafes in the rest of Sydney will not be able to accommodate more than 300 customers, while the number of people who can visit third-party homes is also limited.
Wearing a mask, which is not compulsory, is strongly recommended.
Authorities are due to review these measures on Wednesday in the hope that some can be lifted before Christmas Day.
This resurgence in the number of cases upsets the plans of many people who hoped to celebrate Christmas with their family after months of separation.
Many residents were forced to cancel their trips after the news that some internal borders were closed.
On Sunday, the states of Victoria and South Australia were the last to decree that residents of Sydney will be subject to a mandatory quarantine in a hotel for 14 days upon entering the territory.
Australia as a whole has been quite successful in containing the pandemic, imposing very severe and far-reaching restrictive measures as soon as outbreaks appear.
Since the outbreak of the virus on its territory, it has recorded just over 28,100 cases and 908 deaths for a population of 25 million inhabitants.
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