This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/531803-extra-troops-sydney-lockdown/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sydney may call in EXTRA troops to enforce lockdown as Australia’s capital extends restrictions after ONE case reported | Sydney may call in EXTRA troops to enforce lockdown as Australia’s capital extends restrictions after ONE case reported |
| (14 days later) | |
| More troops may be deployed to patrol the streets of Sydney to deter lockdown violators, officials said amid concerns the virus is spreading beyond the area, with the Australian capital, Canberra ushered into a snap lockdown. | More troops may be deployed to patrol the streets of Sydney to deter lockdown violators, officials said amid concerns the virus is spreading beyond the area, with the Australian capital, Canberra ushered into a snap lockdown. |
| Another three Sydney areas were placed under a strict lockdown on Thursday, putting the total number of districts living under the sweeping restrictions at 12. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the extension of the measures is necessary despite the fact that “some (of the areas) only had one case overnight,” insisting that restricting movement is nevertheless necessary to “stop the front of the spread moving forward.” | Another three Sydney areas were placed under a strict lockdown on Thursday, putting the total number of districts living under the sweeping restrictions at 12. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the extension of the measures is necessary despite the fact that “some (of the areas) only had one case overnight,” insisting that restricting movement is nevertheless necessary to “stop the front of the spread moving forward.” |
| Although Sydney, a city of around 5 million people, has been living under lockdown since June 26, the draconian measures have so far borne little fruit in terms of reducing the number of cases to near-zero – the stated goal of the Australian authorities. On Thursday, the state reported 345 new cases and two deaths from the virus. Both deceased patients were men in their 90s. | Although Sydney, a city of around 5 million people, has been living under lockdown since June 26, the draconian measures have so far borne little fruit in terms of reducing the number of cases to near-zero – the stated goal of the Australian authorities. On Thursday, the state reported 345 new cases and two deaths from the virus. Both deceased patients were men in their 90s. |
| In addition to the more transmissible nature of the Covid-19 Delta strain, the current outbreak has been blamed on lockdown violators. Speaking on Thursday, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing admonished people “who are recklessly not abiding by the current health orders.” | In addition to the more transmissible nature of the Covid-19 Delta strain, the current outbreak has been blamed on lockdown violators. Speaking on Thursday, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing admonished people “who are recklessly not abiding by the current health orders.” |
| “Just this week we saw a person travel out to Parkes without a reasonable excuse,” he said. | “Just this week we saw a person travel out to Parkes without a reasonable excuse,” he said. |
| In order to bring those defying the lockdown rules into line, Berejiklian said she expects the state police commissioner to request more military assistance in patrolling the near-empty streets. | In order to bring those defying the lockdown rules into line, Berejiklian said she expects the state police commissioner to request more military assistance in patrolling the near-empty streets. |
| “We are ensuring that no stone is left unturned,” the premier said. The spokesperson for Defense Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to Reuters that government officials indicated they would soon file a formal request for more troops. | “We are ensuring that no stone is left unturned,” the premier said. The spokesperson for Defense Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to Reuters that government officials indicated they would soon file a formal request for more troops. |
| It’s unclear so far how many soldiers will join the 580 unarmed army personnel who have already been deployed to the city. As part of the ongoing crackdown, state police have issued 407 fines, including 176 for failing to wear a mask, within the last 24 hours. | It’s unclear so far how many soldiers will join the 580 unarmed army personnel who have already been deployed to the city. As part of the ongoing crackdown, state police have issued 407 fines, including 176 for failing to wear a mask, within the last 24 hours. |
| Sydney’s outbreak has also been linked to the first local case of the virus in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in more than a year. The patient is reported to be a man in his 20s. The case triggered a snap one-week lockdown for the whole of Canberra, with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr calling it “the most serious public health risk” the area has faced in a year. The lockdown resulted in the closure of schools, except for the children of essential workers. The authorities also reportedly told local teachers to prepare to switch to online learning in case the lockdown is extended. | Sydney’s outbreak has also been linked to the first local case of the virus in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in more than a year. The patient is reported to be a man in his 20s. The case triggered a snap one-week lockdown for the whole of Canberra, with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr calling it “the most serious public health risk” the area has faced in a year. The lockdown resulted in the closure of schools, except for the children of essential workers. The authorities also reportedly told local teachers to prepare to switch to online learning in case the lockdown is extended. |
| Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |
| Dear readers and commenters, | |
| We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system. | |
| Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments, | |
| RT Team. |