Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW was facing its biggest challenge since the pandemic started, with the number of infectious cases in the community and unlinked cases of community transmission a concern.
She said unless there was a dramatic turn around, it would be difficult to ease restrictions but she would make a decision in the next couple of days.
“Please continue to come forward for Covid-19 testing to help us find any unrecognised chains of transmission in the community,” she said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, says police will continue to target areas of concern as communities respond to the new threat of the delta strain of Covid-19.
“The additional police officers in Sydney’s south-west will be reinforcing to the community that compliance with the health orders is a requirement if we want to see our loved ones protected,” Mr Elliott said.
“The key message is to stay at home to ensure you don’t run the risk of bringing the virus back to your household.
“The delta strain is a game changer, and police will be out in the community helping people to comply.
“Where they don’t get compliance, they will be out enforcing the public health orders.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service, Victor Dominello, said expanding the QR code mandate would give NSW Health contact tracers real-time access to QR code data from a greater number of venues including supermarkets, retail stores, gyms and offices.
“This is about keeping customers and staff safe and getting all businesses open again as soon as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
