THIRTY new cases of coronavirus have been identified in NSW as the Northern Beaches cluster grows.
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While the Hunter has dodged tighter COVID restrictions for now, the same can not be said for residents in other parts of the state.
People living in Greater Sydney, parts of the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast, are no longer allowed to have more than 10 people visit their homes. There are also increased restrictions on hospitality venues in these areas with businesses having to conform to the four-square-metres per person rule once again.
Dancing, singing and chanting have also been banned.
The changes were announced by Premier Gladys Berijiklian at a press conference on Sunday. She encouraged people across the state to wear a mask anytime they are in an enclosed area such as supermarkets, shopping centres and places of worship.
"Even though numbers are higher than yesterday, the one positive is we still have not seen evidence of massive seeding outside the Northern Beaches community," Ms Berejiklian said.
Public health alerts had already been released on Saturday for spots in Forster and Raymond Terrace.
Anyone who attended Raymond Terrace McDonald's on December 15 is being urged to get tested immediately and isolate.
Anyone who attended the venue at that time is considered a casual contact. They should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result, NSW Health said..
Already Hunter residents have lined up for COVID testing, with queues reported at the University of Newcastle testing facility on Sunday morning. By 11.30am the university clinic had to temporarily close operations because it had hit capacity.
In Forster, anyone who attended Café Toscano - particularly in the outdoor verandah area - at 1 Wallis Street on Wednesday, December 16, between 6pm and 7.45pm is considered a close contact of a confirmed case. Or those who attended Beach Bums Café Corner Beach Street and North Street, Forster: Wednesday December 16, 8am - 9am and Thursday December 17, 8am-9am
They should get tested immediately and self-isolate until December 30. Other people who attended the venue for less than an hour during this time should monitor for symptoms, and get tested immediately if they appear.
The northern beaches cluster grew by 23 cases to 40 infections on Saturday, before a further 30 were announced Sunday.
Northern beaches residents are under stay-at-home orders, with lockdown expected to last until Wednesday in an effort to get the situation under control before Christmas.
Anyone in the state with even the mildest symptoms such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, is asked to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until a negative result is received.
Where to get tested
The following COVID-19 testing clinics have revised their operating hours for Sunday:
- John Hunter Hospital COVID-19 testing centre
Opening Sunday 20 December, 8am to 8.30pm
No appointment or referral is required.
- Nelson Bay drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic (Laverty)
No appointment or GP referral required.
Location | 20 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay
- Raymond Terrace Community Respiratory Clinic
Open Sunday 1pm to 5pm
Make an appointment online via https://www.hotdoc.com.au/.../raymond-terrace.../doctors... or call 4983 0900.
Location | Raymond Terrace Health Centre, 4 Jacaranda Ave, Raymond Terrace
COVID-19 testing clinics in the Greater Newcastle and Port Stephens area are continuing to operate. These include:
- Belmont Hospital drive-through COVID-19 testing centre
Opening hours | 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 12pm Saturday and Sunday.
Phone for an appointment on 4964 7497 (select option 2).
- Calvary Mater Newcastle COVID-19 testing centre
Opening hours | 8am to 2pm, Monday to Friday
No appointment or referral is required.
- Maitland Hospital COVID-19 testing centre
Opening hours | 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week
Bookings by appointment. Phone 4964 7497 (select option 3) during clinic operating hours.
- University of Newcastle drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic (Pathology North)
Opening hours | 8am to 4pm, 7 days a week
No appointment or GP referral required
- Warners Bay drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic (4cyte pathology)
Opening hours | 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 11am Saturday
No appointment or GP referral required
Location | Central Church - 290 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay
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IN THE NEWS:
Jessica Brown
Jessica began her journalism career in 2009 as a cadet at The Port Stephens Examiner before moving to London for a two-year stint working in magazines and digital publishing. The Lake Macquarie local returned to Australia where she took up a reporting role at The Maitland Mercury. She worked across several rounds including local council, police and property before moving into digital journalism and joining the team at The Newcastle Herald in 2017.
Jessica began her journalism career in 2009 as a cadet at The Port Stephens Examiner before moving to London for a two-year stint working in magazines and digital publishing. The Lake Macquarie local returned to Australia where she took up a reporting role at The Maitland Mercury. She worked across several rounds including local council, police and property before moving into digital journalism and joining the team at The Newcastle Herald in 2017.
