Sydney

Sydney celebrates end of 107-day lockdown

People queued for pubs and bars that opened at midnight on Monday specifically for the occasion.

Many others have been enjoying anticipated reunions and visits to the homes of relatives and friends.

Covid rules had banned household visits and travel beyond a 5km (3.1 miles) zone, separating many families.

But most restrictions have now been eased for fully vaccinated people.

People can now share meal together at reopened cafes and restaurants, and visit gyms and other shops. There were long queues for barbers, nail salons and beauticians on Monday.

'Rapid increase' in Canterbury-Bankstown cases shows Sydney's COVID-19 outbreak on the move

The Delta outbreak, which began in Sydney's eastern suburbs 54 days ago, has been concentrated around Fairfield, in the city's south-west, for several weeks.

But 92 of 319 new cases recorded in the 24 hours to 8:00pm Friday were from the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area (LGA), sparking warnings the virus was on the move again.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there had been "a rapid increase" in COVID infections in the LGA this week, with around 500 new cases identified.

Qantas stands down 2,500 staff over Sydney lockdown

The furlough - affecting pilots, crew and airport workers - will last for at least two months, the airline said.

Qantas said it would pay staff until mid-August, after which they could apply for government support payments.

Since June, fresh Covid outbreaks have forced most Australian states to reimpose restrictions.

The highly contagious Delta variant has forced lockdowns in several cities and some state border closures.

The situation is most severe in Sydney. It is seeing about 200 new infections each day, despite being in lockdown since 26 June.

Sydney extends lockdown as other Australian cities reopen

Australia's largest city has been under stay-at-home orders since late June due to an outbreak of the Delta variant.

More than 2,500 people have been infected in Sydney's worst outbreak this year.

New South Wales - of which Sydney is the capital - reported 177 new cases on Wednesday, the most in a day since March 2020.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was not possible for the city to exit lockdown on Friday as had been planned.

She announced further curbs on movement - including a 10km (6.5 miles) limit on essential shopping.

Anti-lockdown protesters condemned

Thousands marched through Sydney on Saturday to demand an end to lockdown measures, with smaller demonstrations taking place in Melbourne and Brisbane.

At least 57 people involved in the Sydney protest have been charged, while more than 500 have been fined.

On Sunday, New South Wales (NSW) premier Gladys Berejiklian said the protesters "should be ashamed".

"Millions and millions of people across our state are doing the right thing, and it just broke my heart that people had such a disregard for their fellow citizens," she told reporters.

Nude sunbathers fined for breaching Sydney COVID rules

The men, who were sunbathing on a beach south of Sydney, were found after they called for assistance.

They were fined A$1,000 (US$750; £547) for breaching a public health order banning those in greater Sydney from travelling outside the area.

The city is under lockdown as it battles the contagious Delta variant.

"It's difficult to legislate against idiots," NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said at a press conference on Monday when speaking about the incident.

Sydney city centre and beach suburbs to enter lockdown

The city is battling to contain an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant.

Officials reported 17 new cases on Friday, taking the cluster to 65 cases.

It is the first lockdown in Australia's largest city - home to 5.3 million people - this year.

It will affect the city centre, inner-city suburbs, as well as beachside suburbs in the east.

"We don't want to see this situation linger for weeks. We would like to see this situation end sooner rather than later," said New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

NSW COVID cases not enough to spark snap Sydney lockdown, yet

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian did not mince her words yesterday when she described the past week as the "most serious moment for the state" since the pandemic began.

There have so far been 49 locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the state since a limousine driver tested positive last Wednesday, and more infections are expected to be announced at 11:00am today.

"We're dealing with a virus that is extremely contagious," Ms Berejiklian said.

Sydney faces new restrictions as cluster grows

Authorities reported 16 new infections on Wednesday, which brings the cluster there to 37 cases.

Sydney's 5.3 million residents will have to wear masks indoors, and many will be banned from travelling out of the city.

Officials are concerned about the "extremely contagious" Delta variant.

The cluster marks the largest rise in infections in Sydney since December. For most of the year, locals have enjoyed almost no restrictions on daily life.

But the sharp case rise in the past week has prompted authorities to reinstate distancing rules.

Sydney's Bondi community cluster rises to nine

Two locally acquired cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday - a man in his 30s, which was announced yesterday morning, and the other a household contact of his.

Since 8pm yesterday, NSW Health recorded two additional cases of locally acquired transmission. These two cases will be officially recorded in tomorrow's numbers.

The two new cases, a woman and a man in their 50s, are from the Sutherland Shire and close contacts of previously reported cases. They have both been in isolation.