New South Wales a ‘national emergency’ as 136 new cases recorded

New South Wales has been deemed a “national emergency” as the state records 136 new cases, with 53 of those infectious in the community. Premier Gladys Berejiklian conceded the numbers will not be close to zero next Friday, the scheduled day to leave lockdown. “There is no doubt that the numbers are not going in the direction we were hoping they would at this stage. It is fairly apparent that we will not be close to zero next Friday,” she said. Restrictions will also be tightened in South-Western Sydney, particularly the Cumberland and Blacktown LGAs. “Dr Chant and her team advised us that the situation that exists now in New South Wales, namely around south-western and now Western Sydney suburbs, is regarded as a national emergency. For that purpose and for that reason the New South Wales government will be taking action in relation to that. “First and foremost, the local government areas of both Cumberland and Blacktown local government areas, will also be subject to workers are not being allowed to leave those communities unless the health and emergency workers were on the authorised list of workers. “The list for what is critical, already exists, so we ask people to look at that list to make sure they do not leave the local government area which is defined by the suburbs in which they live unless they work in health, aged care, or are on that authorised list which already exists.” One more death has also been recorded. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au