Australia's largest state reports zero COVID-19 cases, urges thousands to get tested

SYDNEY: Australia's most populous state New South Wales on Monday (Jan 4) reported zero local coronavirus cases for the first time in nearly three weeks, as Sydney battled multiple outbreaks and authorities urged tens of thousands of people to get tested.

New South Wales daily testing numbers have dropped to around 20,000 in the last two days from a peak of about 70,000 recorded on Christmas Day, Dec 25. The overwhelming majority of tests are in the state capital Sydney.

"The numbers are far too low ... If we're going to succeed in staying ahead of the COVID pandemic, testing is crucial in large numbers so we can be confident of the data when we're making decisions," New South Wales Acting Premier John Barilaro told reporters.

Authorities have imposed mandatory masks in indoor spaces and on public transport from Monday for Sydney's 5 million residents or face a spot fine of A$200 (US$154).

READ: Australia's New South Wales under fire for slow COVID-19 response

New South Wales officials had rejected calls for mandatory face masks since the pandemic started and the change of policy follows the latest Sydney outbreak, which seems to be highly infectious, and ahead of a cricket test between Australia and India in Sydney which is expected to attract 24,000 spectators.

Two cases linked to Sydney's fresh cluster centred around a liquor store were recorded after the daily deadline of 2000 local time. These will be added to Tuesday's tally.

Low single-digit cases from a cluster in northern seaside suburbs in recent days suggest a strict lockdown there since mid-December may have effectively eliminated the virus, but a KPMG report said the lockdown cost New South Wales economy A$3.20 billion (US$2.46 billion) in December.

READ: Australian states reimpose travel restrictions to prevent spread of COVID-19 outbreaks

New South Wales and Sydney, Australia's largest city, have been isolated from the rest of Australia by state border closures or 14-day mandatory quarantine rules for interstate arrivals from New South Wales.

Neighbouring Victoria state, which is also battling new cases in state capital Melbourne, on Monday reported three local cases bringing the active cases in the state to 36.

Australia has largely avoided the high number of cases and deaths from the new coronavirus compared with other developed countries but the latest COVID-19 clusters in Sydney have sparked fears of a wider outbreak.

It has reported just under 28,500 COVID-19 cases and 909 deaths since the pandemic began.

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