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Australia It welcomed 2021 with subdued celebrations as new coronavirus restrictions and border closures in its two most populous states forced people to abandon New Year plans.
The media reported traffic jams at border checkpoints that stretched up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) as people rushed to avoid border restrictions that began at midnight.
New south Wales (NSW), the center of the latest outbreak, reported three new cases overnight from more than 32,000 tests. Its largest group, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches is now at 146 cases.
“Our strong message is to be on high alert, come forward and get tested for the slightest symptoms,” said the NSW Prime Minister. Gladys Berejiklianhe told reporters in Sydney, urging people to wear masks.
Sydney’s famous fireworks continued over deserted streets as gatherings were banned, while its harbor sported only 20% of the boats typically seen on New Year’s Eve.
Neighbour Victory The state has reported no new cases since Thursday afternoon, although authorities expect the numbers to increase in the coming days. The state has a cluster of eight cases, and some are believed to be related to the Sydney outbreak.
The outbreaks in the two states occurred after weeks without community transmission, Reuters reports.
“The NSW link remains our main line of investigation for this outbreak,” he said. Martin Foley, Victoria’s state health minister, which this week limited indoor gatherings to 15 people and reintroduced mandatory masks indoors. “We hope that the genomic tests will come very soon.”
South Australia said infections in Sydney had led it to establish a hard border with New South Wales as of Friday.
“I think we have to keep reminding ourselves that there is no simple and easy way to fix all of this. It is a global pandemic and that means there will be frustrations from time to time, ”said the prime minister. Scott morrisonhe said, while welcoming the low number of cases in the two states.
Australia has reported just over 28,400 Covid-19 cases and 909 deaths since the pandemic began.
