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NSW has recorded 11 new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, however Premier Gladys Berejiklian says that there will be no further restrictions put in place.
Ms Berejiklian told a press conference on Thursday that this is perhaps the scariest period New South Wales has gone through since the start of the pandemic, saying that the Delta strain is “a very contagious variant”. However, the Premier said that the NSW government wouldn’t be implementing any further restrictions at this stage and will be instead focusing on enforcing the current restrictions.
“I do want to stress that my level of concern is medium to high across New South Wales but at the same time, a couple of things that we are pleased about is that all the new cases but one are linked and that one is under investigation,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We do expect more cases in the coming days but we also please expect everybody to do the right thing.”
NSW Health released the official case tally for Thursday showing that 18 new infections were recorded, including the 13 previously announced from yesterday morning. A further six cases were recorded after the 8pm cut off and will be included in Friday’s numbers.
One of the confirmed local cases was for the state Agricultural Minister Adam Marshall. Contracting the virus after dinning at a the Christo’s Pizzeria in Paddington on Monday that was later identified as an exposure site.
Three of his Nationals colleagues Trevor Khan, Steph Cook and Ben Franklin have all gone into isolation after also being at the venue on Monday.
With Mr Marshall’s COVID-19 case being investigated MPs have been locked out of Parliament House, except for senior Coalition members.
An email sent to Coalition staff on Thursday morning, advised that only 16 MPs would be permitted to enter the building including the Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and members of the front bench.
“Staff are not permitted in Parliament House for any reason, including to collect their belongings,” the email read.
Ms Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard were also tested for COVID-19 after being deemed as casual contacts as they had shared the same room with Mr Marshall in Parliament but both of them have confirmed that there results had come back negative.
“I was interviewed and had zero contact,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I was there for a short time, addressed the crowd and I didn’t have contact with him whatsoever.