NSW recorded two new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There were nine new cases in returning overseas travellers, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,327. In the 24 hours to 8pm last night, NSW Health administered 4,482 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of doses administered in the state to 717,752. More information here.

NSW Health has identified a number of venues across Sydney visited by a man who has subsequently tested positive to COVID-19. The man visited these venues on Friday 30 April and Saturday 1 May while potentially highly infectious with the virus. These include the District Brasserie in Sydney’s CBD, the Bondi Junction Event cinemas and a number of retail barbeque shops. The full list of venues, times visited and instructions for those who were there at the same time is available here. NSW Health will update this list as new venues of concern emerge.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced the return of restrictions, which are enforceable in the greater Sydney area (including Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains) from 5pm today and in effect until 12.01am on Monday 10 May. Masks are once again compulsory on public transport and in all public indoor venues, such as retail, theatres, hospitals, aged care facilities and for front-of-house hospitality staff (except in a hospitality venue when eating or drinking), households are limited to 20 visitors, and drinking while standing up, singing and dancing in indoor venues is banned. Full details here.

Masks should be worn in all public corridors and waiting areas within that part of the court building solely occupied by the Supreme Court.
Everyone in a courtroom must wear a mask, unless:

• The person concerned is an active participant in the proceedings namely the presiding judge, a practitioner who is responsible for presenting the case in court or a witness giving evidence.
• one of the exemptions stated in the Public Health Order applies; or
• at the discretion of the presiding judge.

Jurors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided to jurors by the Office of the Sheriff.

The NZ Government has announced its intention to pause the travel bubble with NSW while COVID-19 cases in Sydney remain under investigation. The pause will initially be in place for 48 hours from midnight tonight. Read more here. 

The Queensland Government has announced that as of 1am tomorrow, anyone arriving from NSW who has been to any of the venues attended by a positive COVID-19 case at the prescribed times and dates will need to go into hotel quarantine. The Government has also requested that anyone in Queensland who has been in NSW since 27 April to monitor for symptoms and get tested. Details here.

In light of the emerging situation in NSW, there are also new restrictions for visitors to residential aged care facilities in greater Sydney. These include: a maximum of two visitors per day, all visitors and team members must wear a mask and visits should take place outdoors where possible. More information here.

NSW Health was notified on Wednesday 5 May that fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected in the Marrickville Sewage Network. This catchment includes about 42,000 people and takes sewage from the following suburbs: Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, Summer Hill, Lewisham, Ashfield, Haberfield, Petersham, Lilyfield and Leichhardt. NSW Health is asking everyone in these areas to be especially vigilant in monitoring for symptoms, and if they appear get tested and isolate immediately until a negative result is received. NSW Health is providing a new COVID-19 pop-up testing clinic and extended hours at existing clinics, including drive-throughs, to support increased testing in Sydney's east and inner city. Details on clinics with extended opening hours available here.

The Federal Court is hearing a challenge to the India flight ban, which is currently in force and will be reconsidered on Thursday 15 May. A Melbourne man — currently stranded in India — is challenging the government’s decision, arguing the emergency declaration under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) is invalid on constitutional grounds. Justice Stephen Burley is hearing the proceedings, which have been expedited. The decision was announced by Health Minister Greg Hunt early on Saturday, 1 May that a temporary pause had been enacted on travellers from India entering Australian territory if the passenger has been in India within 14 days of their intended arrival date in Australia. Read the Health Minister’s release here.

Australia has now entered phase 2a of its national vaccine rollout. As of Monday 3 May, people 50 years and over can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at Commonwealth vaccination and state and territory vaccination clinics. From May 17, this age group will also be eligible to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at a participating GP. Details on eligibility and answers to questions such as the acceptable timing between flu shots and COVID-19 vaccinations are here.

The National Cabinet met last Friday to discuss the vaccine rollout and the ongoing COVID-19 situation in India. National Cabinet noted the Chief Medical Officer’s assessment that India is the first country to meet the threshold of a high risk country. The Commonwealth will consider further measures to mitigate risks of high risk travellers entering Australia. The Federal Government has arranged for a support package including oxygen concentrators, PPE and oxygen tanks and consumables to be sent to India. The National Cabinet will meet again tomorrow. Details here.