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Tougher COVID-19 Lockdown Measures Imposed on Australia's Biggest City

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - Australia's biggest city, Sydney, has ordered a shutdown of
   building sites and most shops, and is banning workers from leaving
   several Covid-19 hotspots. The city of 5 million people has been under
   lockdown since June 26 as authorities race to contain the spread of the
   delta variant. The state of Victoria is also in lockdown.

   Twelve million Australians - or about half of the population - are in
   COVID-19 lockdown.

   In New South Wales, the most populous state, authorities recorded 111
   new cases in the previous 24 hours, up from 97 the day before.

   Health officials have said that around 80% of the infections are from
   three areas in Sydney. In response, the government has imposed some of
   Australia's toughest lockdown regulations.

   Residents in the Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool areas,
   which have a total population of more than 600,000 people, will be
   banned from leaving their district for work unless they have jobs in
   the health or emergency services sectors. Those permitted to leave face
   compulsory coronavirus tests every three days, regardless of symptoms.
   The lockdown measures are in place until at least July 30.

   Companies that force staff to go to the office, and don't allow them to
   work from home, could be fined $7,400.

   Stores that can remain open in Sydney include supermarkets, pharmacies
   and hardware outlets.

   New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian says all building work
   must stop.

   "Now, the next decision was a difficult one, but until July 30 - until
   midnight on July 30 - there will be a pause on all construction, large
   or small," Berejiklian said. "Nonurgent repairs, any form of building,
   renovation, construction, maintenance, including cleaners into the home
   or workers into the home, will not be allowed for all of Greater
   Sydney. We know this is a big decision."

   Neighboring Victoria state also reported a jump in daily COVID-19 cases
   to 19 Saturday, from six the previous day, raising fears it may extend
   a short lockdown that was scheduled to end on Tuesday.

   Once again, Australian states and territories are reimposing internal
   border controls on regions affected by rising numbers of COVID-19
   infections.

   Australia has recorded 31,632 coronavirus cases and 913 deaths since
   the pandemic began, but its vaccination rollout has been slow compared
   to many other countries.

   Only about 10% of Australians are fully vaccinated.

   Most foreign nationals were banned in March of last year, and
   Australia's international borders are expected to remain closed until
   well into 2022.