Alarming new list of Covid exposure sites are revealed including a childcare centre, supermarkets and a string of chemists - as worrying statistic shows contact tracers are fighting a losing battle
- Another 48 exposure sites have been added to NSW's growing list of Covid alerts
- New sites come after 170 cases were recorded on Friday with 42 in community
- Exposed venues include chemists, childcare centre and various supermarkets
- Multiple bus and train routes were also added to the list of concern on Saturday
Sydney is once again on high alert after 48 new Covid exposure sites were revealed on Saturday morning, with venues, train and bus lines spread from the city's virus-ravaged west to the inner city and eastern suburbs.
Most alarmingly, some of the venues were exposed more than 10 days ago but have only just been added to the list, proving that contact tracers are faltering under the near-impossible task of tracking the outbreak as it spreads.
Among the sites include a number of different chemists - including Priceline Pharmacy and Chemist Warehouse - alongside a childcare centre with times listed from 8.55am to 5.35pm.
Anyone who visited the Kids Guardian Angel Childcare Centre in Lurnea, in Sydney's south-west between those times on Monday July 26 has been urged to isolate for 14 days regardless of a test result.
The same rules apply to the Jumbo Thai restaurant in Pyrmont from 12.25pm to 12.40pm on Saturday July 24 and 12.55pm to 1.05pm on Monday July 26.
The long list of exposure sites come after New South Wales recorded 170 Covid cases on Friday with 42 infectious in the community.
The new cases prompted Gladys Berejiklian to announce an entire stadium would be set up to help boost the state's vaccination rates and 1,000 police and soldiers have been called in to enforce the Sydney lockdown which is now over a month in.
The new NSW exposure sites have been listed on Saturday morning following a jump by 170 Covid cases on Friday
Sydney is once again on high alert after 48 new Covid exposure sites were revealed on Saturday morning
Anyone who visited the Kids Guardian Angel Childcare Centre in Lurnea, in Sydney's south-west between those times on Monday July 26 has been urged to isolate for 14 days regardless of a test result
The Chemist Warehouse in Strathfield has also been listed as an exposure site from Tuesday July 27 from 1.55pm - 2.10pm
NSW Health revealed that a string of bus and train routes have been exposed to the virus from stations such as Bondi Junction in the city's east and Strathfield in the inner west.
A Bunnings Warehouse in Kingsgrove, a Coles in Wentworth Point and an Aldi in Baulkham Hills have also been listed with those who visited the sites during the exposed times urged to get tested and isolate until given a negative result.
There are 187 patients suffering from Covid-19 across the state, of which 58 are intensive care and 24 are on ventilators.
From August 9, Ms Berejiklian said Qudos Bank Arena - a 21,000-capacity complex in the Olympic Park in the city's west - would open to vaccinate students living in eight hotspot local government areas in Sydney's west and south-west.
The state government hopes 20,000 Year 12 students a week will receive a Covid-19 jab every week at the arena-turned-vaccination hub.
The Jumbo Thai restaurant in Pyrmont was exposed to Covid on Saturday July 24 from 12.25pm - 12.40pm and Monday July 26 from 12.55pm - 1.05pm, NSW Health revealed
Greater Sydney is over a month into a lockdown with cases continuing to surge
Friday's daily press conference also came with a stern warning that anyone who attends a planned anti-lockdown protest in Sydney on Saturday would be met by 1,000 officers 'who will be ready to deal with you'.
'Don't come into Sydney to protest,' NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said.
'If you do, you will be met by up to 1,000 police who will be ready to deal with you, whether that be via the health orders or other laws.'
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Last Saturday thousands descended onto the streets of the CBD with 57 arrested and countless brawls breaking out.
More than 300 ADF soldiers will meanwhile be deployed across Greater Sydney from Monday to help police enforce the lockdown, which was been extended for four weeks until at least August 28.
NSW Police made a formal request to the federal government for the ADF to assist the force's Covid-19 compliance operation on Thursday afternoon.
Police are seen in a meeting ahead of a planned protest on Saturday. Last weekend 57 people were arrested after attending an anti-lockdown rally in Sydney's CBD
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday revealed the vaccination levels required for each stage after a marathon National Cabinet meeting with state premiers.
For Australia to move out of the current stage into Phase B, 70 per cent of the eligible population will need to be fully vaccinated - a target the government aims to hit by December - followed by an 80 per cent threshold for Phase C.
Under Phase B lockdowns would be possible but less likely, while Phase C only allows for 'highly targeted' shutdowns.
Bans on overseas travel have been in place since March 2020 and are likely to continue into 2022 before Australia moves into Phase C. This third stage will see the lifting of all restrictions for vaccinated travellers, and no caps for vaccinated arrivals.
The transition plan was met by a mixed response from Australians, with some predicting vaccination rates would soar as a result and others objecting to Mr Morrison's plan to introduce digital vaccination certificates.
The Prime Minister said certificates for Apple and Android devices were 'days away' and would be used to allow vaccinated citizens from other countries to visit Australia and for Australians to have their vaccination status recognised overseas.
'Digital vaccination certificates for many nations will already be in place. Indeed for Australia, they will be in place,' he said.
'If you get vaccinated, there will be special rules that apply to you. Why? Because if you're vaccinated, you present less of a public health risk,' he said.
Sydney residents are seen on Observatory Hill as cases continue to surge in the city
