Sydney, Australia on High Alert as Local COVID-19 Infections Resurge After One Month

Mandatory Mask Wearing Reinstated on Public Transportation and Indoors

Citizens waiting to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Australia
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Community transmission of COVID-19 has reoccurred in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, where no local infections had been reported for a month. The newly confirmed case's source of infection is unknown, causing health authorities to be on high alert.

According to Australian media on the 6th, the NSW government announced the reintroduction of strengthened quarantine measures across the entire city of Sydney. This came immediately after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed that a resident who underwent a COVID-19 test was confirmed positive, and investigations into the exact infection route and additional cases are underway.

The newly confirmed local infection on the 5th is the first in 36 days since the last local transmission on March 31.

According to the measures announced by NSW on this day, private gatherings of more than 20 people at home are prohibited, and the number of visitors to aged care facilities is limited to a maximum of two per resident. Additionally, mask-wearing is again mandatory on all public transportation and indoor public places. The strengthened quarantine measures will be in effect until the 10th.

The newly confirmed case was unvaccinated against COVID-19 and is reported to have been living daily life in an infectious state since the 30th of last month.

NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant explained that the confirmed case has not recently traveled overseas and is not a quarantine hotel staff member, making it difficult to identify the source of infection.

The confirmed case's movement, disclosed by NSW health authorities, includes about 20 locations such as the Woolworths supermarket and Chemist Warehouse pharmacy in Double Bay, eastern Sydney, and the Royal Sydney Golf Club in Rose Bay.

Premier Berejiklian emphasized, "Although only one confirmed case has been identified, if the source of infection is unknown, it should be assumed that there are more infected individuals," adding, "The NSW government will respond appropriately as it always has."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.