Sharma defends NSW government’s lockdown decision

Liberal MP Dave Sharma says the NSW government and premier have shown themselves "quite willing to respond and adapt" and let the evidence dictate their policy response. Millions of people in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast were forced into a two-week lockdown following a surge in COVID-19 cases. Residents are only allowed to leave home to shop for essential items, exercise, medical care or for compassionate reasons until July 9. The lockdown was imposed because health authorities believe the Delta variant of the virus is spreading at a rate which is too fast to contain. Mr Sharma defended the NSW government's decision to call for the sharp lockdown and argued the premier always follows health advice. "This is always a difficult balancing act," he said. "This premier and this government in NSW have always been mindful of the fact there is always costs to a lockdown, it doesn't come cost free. "This premier and this government has always been - quite rightly- reluctant to impose any more onerous or heavy restrictions on the public than is absolute necessary." Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au