Sydney's Covid outbreak TRIPLES in size as thousands ordered to stay home

NSW Health has confirmed the number of coronavirus cases on Sydney’s northern beaches has risen to 17.

The total includes five cases already diagnosed in the area plus one bus driver in Sydney’s west who contracted Covid.

Residents on the Northern Beaches have been asked by NSW Health to stay at home for the next three days and people from outside the area should avoid unnecessary travel to the Northern Beaches.

The source of the cluster remains a mystery, but authorities are investigating a potential super-spreader event at a Northern Beaches RSL.

One of the cases, a man in his 60s from Frenchs Forest, is a drummer in a band called Nothing Too Serious, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said in a press conference.

He performed multiple gigs across Sydney recently, including as far west as Penrith, however, it is unclear if he did so while infectious.

The second positive case confirmed earlier on Thursday is a woman in her 50s. It has been revealed she works in Pittwater Palms retirement village in Avalon, her partner also tested positive. The source of the infections is still unknown.

Anyone who was at the Avalon RSL on Friday is urged to get tested and isolate as should those who attended Penrith RSL on Sunday from 1pm to 6pm and the Kirribilli Club on Monday from 12pm to 3pm.

People who visited the following venues at the listed times are considered close contacts and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days.

• Avalon RSL club 11 December all day till closed

• Penrith RSL club 13 December 1-6 pm

• Kirribilli club 14 December 12-3 pm

• Female change rooms at Palm Beach on December 13 between 9am and 9:15am.

• Coast Palm Beach Cafe on December 13 between 10am and 11am.

• Avalon Bowlo on December 13 between 5pm and 7pm and December 15 between 3pm and 5pm.

• Hungry Ghost Cafe at Avalon on December 14 between 9:30am and 11am.

• Sneaky Grind Cafe at Avalon Beach on December 14 between 10:30am and 11:00am.

• Barramee Thai Massage and Spa at Avalon Beach on December 14 between 2pm and 3:30pm.

• Bangkok Sidewalk Restaurant at Avalon Beach on December 14 between 7pm and 8pm.

• Woolworths Mona Vale, 25/29 Park St, Mona Vale, 13 December, 12-12.30pm

• Aldi Mona Vale, 13 Bungan St, Mona Vale, 13 December, 12.45-1.30pm

• Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club, 13, 14 and 15 December, 9-9.30am

• Palm Beach Rockpool, LOT 1 Rock Bath Rd, Palm Beach, 14 December, 9:30-10:30am, 16 December, 8am-9am

• Woolworths Avalon, 74 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach, 14 December 5-5.30pm

• Chemist Warehouse, 4/74 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach, 14 December 5.20‑5.25pm

• Commonwealth Bank, 47 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 15 December, 12-12.15pm

• Mitre 10, 49 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 15 December, 12-12.20pm

• Roof Racks World, 13/87 Reserve Rd, Artarmon, 15 December, 2-2:30pm

• HongFa BBQ Restaurant, Dee Why, 15 December 4.30-4.45pm

• Dee Why Fruit Market, 33 Oaks Avenue, Dee Why, 15 December, 4.45-4.55pm

• North Avalon Cellars, 4/3 N Avalon Rd, Avalon Beach, 15 December, 6-6.05pm

• Careel Bay Dog Park and Hitchcock Park, Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon, 16 December 7‑7:30am

• Brot and Wurst, 1442 Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen, 16 December, 2pm-2:05pm

• Avalon Beach Post Shop, 45 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 16 December 3.30-3.50pm

WA and Queensland reinstate travel restrictions

Western Australia has reimposed restrictions on arrivals from NSW, requiring them to self-quarantine until they can produce a negative Covid-19 test result after the new cases detected in Sydney.

Effective immediately, anyone who has arrived from NSW since December 11 must self-quarantine in a suitable premise as soon as possible.

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"These are extra precautionary and immediate steps the state government is taking to protect all Western Australians, based on our expert health advice," Mr McGowan said in a statement.

"I understand these changes will cause some frustration and uncertainty for some people.

"We ask for your patience and understanding as we take these steps to protect the health of all Western Australians."

Any recent arrivals from NSW will be contacted by WA Police with the instructions.

Mr McGowan said WA's chief health officer was in close contact with his NSW counterpart and would provide further advice to the government within the next 48 hours.

"As I have said previously, we will not hesitate to change our border controls if the health advice recommends," he said.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young announced new border restrictions after the Northern Beaches cluster expanded to 17.

Under new requirements, anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and is already in Queensland should get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.

Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney after midnight on Thursday must get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.

Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney after 1am Saturday 19 December 2020 must go into hotel quarantine at their own expense for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches, and get tested.

- with AAP

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