The ACT has implemented stay-at-home orders for anyone who left three regional NSW local government areas (LGA) after 11.59pm last night, Wednesday 21 July.
Anyone entering the ACT from the Orange City Council, Blayney Shire Council or Cabonne Shire Council areas will need to abide by the ACT’s stay-at-home requirements until at least 11.59pm on Tuesday 27 July, in line with the lockdown announced for those regions.
Non-ACT residents will not be able to enter the ACT without an approved exemption.
As well, ACT Health anyone who left the three regional NSW LGAs before 11.59pm last night will need to complete an online declaration form.
“The situation in regional NSW is changing quickly. With cases and exposure locations now occurring in regional locations outside Greater Sydney, restrictions could be implemented for other regions at short notice,” said ACT Health yesterday.
“All Canberrans should minimise interstate travel at this time and be prepared to reconsider their plans at short notice. Canberrans should not be travelling to any areas subject to quarantine or stay at home requirements.”
The central-western town of Orange and its surrounds were plunged into a snap seven-day lockdown after a delivery driver with COVID-19 travelled to the area and infected another person.
The lockdown in the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne local government areas began on Tuesday – the first time a stay-at-home order has been imposed in regional NSW.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro says it’s a tough but appropriate response, given the highly infectious nature of the Delta strain of the coronavirus.
“We are hoping that there are no other infections, but we don’t know and we won’t know and we don’t want to take that gamble,” he told ABC TV today, Wednesday 21 July.
“If we have to do more, we will do more,” he said.
With AAP
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