SYDNEY, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Australia's largest city of Sydney recorded eight new locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, after going nearly two weeks without a community transmission.

New South Wales (NSW) State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she expects additional cases to emerge over the coming days.

"We anticipate that because we've identified these eight cases that a number of close contacts and family members could be found to be positive," Berejiklian said.

One of the locally acquired cases was a student at Sydney's Macquarie University, while seven out of the eight were linked to known clusters.

Officials flagged several areas of concern including a train journey, a gym and an exclusive restaurant which overlooks the Sydney Harbor Bridge, as being attended by an infected person.

Anybody who was in those areas within the designated timeframe was told to self isolate and get tested should they begin to show symptoms.

Contact tracing and social distancing measures remained in place across Sydney, primarily in eating and drinking establishments, with patrons required to leave their name and contact details upon arrival.

Berejiklian said that any venues not abiding by the requirements would be dealt with using the "full force of the law."

"On the basis of advice from (NSW) Health, it's become apparent that some venues, some businesses, are not doing enough to be COVID-safe," Berejiklian said.

"Our patience in relation to businesses not doing the right thing is wearing thin. We need to make sure that all businesses who say they have a COVID-safe plan actually have one." Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)