NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced in a press conference this morning that residents in lockdown can expect to see cases increase in the coming days.
Despite the concerns, Ms Berejiklian has stated that health authorities are working to make sure that the numbers don’t get out of control.
“What is important is all the experts have said if every single person does the right thing,” the NSW Premier said. “That we can get to where we need to go at the end of the three-week period.
“That is a big ask because we know that unfortunately, unintentionally at times, people don’t do the right thing, so it’s really important for all of us to have equal responsibility, it doesn’t matter where we live, and greater Sydney or in the regions.”
Cases rise in south-west Sydney. Some residents criticise NSW authorities for ‘singling out’ certain communities.
While some media outlets have been working with multicultural communities, there are still concerns that some people are not receiving the right messages. The SBS’s project ‘Coronavirus Vaccine and COVID-19 updates in your language‘ is an example of what some media have been doing to inform across various languages.
“We are following up with all the multicultural channels,” Ms Berejiklian said. “To make sure the message gets out, that goes for across greater Sydney, but of course in particular communities we know when messaging, and echoes across the board.
“I just really want to thank everybody for their engagement. The health experts have relied on that consultations to know what people are doing on the ground and what we are observing people are doing to respond in the way we have.”
There have also been some members of the community worried that NSW authorities have put unnecessary weight on certain Greater Sydney suburbs. The suburbs that have seen concerning COVID-19 activity include Bossley Park, Smithfield, Fairfield, Glenfield, West Hoxton Park, Greenacres, St Johns Park, Bonnyrigg, Bankstown, Roselands. A number of these suburbs are home to a large number of these multicultural communities that the NSW government is trying communicate information to across language barriers.
“We are here to make sure people know what the risk is,” Ms Berejiklian said when asked about whether these areas had been ‘unfairly singled out’. “It is really important for me to say it like it is. Please note that when I say it like it is I don’t mean to cause offence, I just need to get the information out. If we don’t say it like it is, people won’t think about their own actions and behaviours and I think the people of this state would expect me to be honest and direct.”
The role of vaccines in the lockdown
The Morrison government has been at the centre of criticism for failure on a federal level to ensure an efficient vaccine rollout. While state governments are in charge of many things, such as lockdown measures, this remains the one thing they have little control over.
“We have always argued for extra supply of vaccinations,” the NSW Premier said. “The one thing the New South Wales government can’t control. And we have had a sense of urgency in New South Wales about the vaccine, and I especially want to thank young people.”
Concerns over the highly-contagious nature of the Delta variant have meant that NSW state and health authorities have underscored the importance of everyone following restrictions and the extended lockdown. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has encouraged residents to get tested early and also to go and get tested if someone else in a household is getting tested.
“The fact is that there has been a high number of transmissions in households,” Dr Chant said. “We know that this virus can spread quickly. In households, very, very quickly. If those cases are rising in people in isolation, they pose no threat. Everyone has a part to play in following those key messages. Please get tested early so by the time we get to you, you haven’t been in the community for a number of days.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard reaffirmed the need to follow health orders to bring cases down. However, earlier in the week, Mr Hazzard admitted that if these are not obeyed, there could come a point where the state would have to live with the Delta variant.
“If the individuals that we need don’t hear Dr Chant’s message and don’t respond, then at some point we’re going to move to a stage where we’re going to have to accept that the virus has a life which will continue in the community.”
Feature photo by Kate Trifo on Unsplash