NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian raised the spectre of a return to restrictions just ahead of Christmas as the Northern Beaches COVID cluster climbed to 28.
On Thursday there were just 18 reported cases in the cluster - 15 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday and two from Wednesday.
On Friday morning, NSW Health reported a further 10 cases - taking the total to 28.
One of the cases has since flown to Queensland and Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said that state's health authorities would be doing contact tracing of people on that flight.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said if the state was able to get on top of the cluster in the coming days, a normal Christmas would be possible.
"If we get on top of this in the next two or three days, all of us will be able to have a much better Christmas but if we don't get on top of it in the next few days, it could mean further restrictions down the track," Ms Berejiklian said.
She said she didn't want to be in a position so close to Christmas to have to reintroduce some of the restrictions - at least in the Northern Beaches - that were eased earlier this month.
"We don't want to do that unless we absolutely have to but I can't rule out that option until we know what the next 24-48 hours look like," Ms Berejiklian said.
... if we don't get on top of it in the next few days, it could mean further restrictions down the track.
- NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Two venues that form part of the cluster are the Avalon RSL and the Avalon Bowlo and Ms Berejiklian said not everyone who visited on the dates in question were from the local area, which meant Greater Sydney should be on "high alert".
"It does mean there's potential seeding outside of Avalon and outside of the Northern Beaches," she said.
"This is what we need to prevent so everyone in Greater Sydney needs to be on high alert - if you have the mildest of symptoms please get tested and isolate."
Residents of Sydney's Northern Beaches have been urged to stay at home over the coming days and avoid all non-essential travel.
"Please make sure that if you do leave your home for necessary business you do wear a mask, especially if you're doing grocery shopping, especially if you're catching public transport, and stay away from non-essential activities by entering what we call high risk venues like hotels restaurants or cafes," she said.
The news has thrown Christmas travel plans into disarray, with other states now imposing travel restrictions on people who have been in the Northern Beaches area at any time in the last two weeks.
"If I was a leader in another state I would certainly be making provisions about people who are coming from a hotspot, Ms Berejiklian said, "but I ask people to consider the fact that the vast parts of NSW are completely unaffected."
There were 7531 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 10,583 in the previous 24 hours.
NSW Health has increased the testing options on the Northern Beaches, with 11 clinics in the area.
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