Parts of Sydney will go into lockdown today (Friday) as a coronavirus outbreak in Australia’s largest city continues to grow.

Health authorities have reported an additional 22 locally transmitted cases and imposed a week-long lockdown in four areas, saying people could leave their homes only for essential purposes, AP reports.

“If you live or work in those local government areas, you need to stay at home unless absolutely necessary,” said Gladys Berejiklian, the premier of New South Wales state.

She said the lockdown, which was due to go into effect just before midnight, would have a significant impact on businesses, especially in the central business district of the city of more than five million people.

People queue in their cars to get tested for Covid-19 at a pop-up testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. — AP
People queue in their cars to get tested for Covid-19 at a pop-up testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. — AP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...