Covid-19: Australia in ‘critical’ moment as Delta variant drives infections spike in nearly all regions

More than 20 million Australians are now under some form of lockdown
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A surfer walks past a sign for a Covid-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney
AFP via Getty Images

Australia is facing a “critical” moment in its fight against Covid-19 as the Delta variant is linked to an infections spike in nearly all regions of the country.

More than 20 million Australians are now under some form of lockdown after an outbreak in Sydney linked to the highly contagious Delta variant grew to 128 cases.

Australia’s Covid-19 response committee is due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday, chaired by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“I think we’re entering a new phase of this pandemic, with the more contagious Delta strain,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told ABC News on Monday.

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People walk through a quiet shopping area in the central business district of Sydney
AFP via Getty Images

Thanks to strict border controls, tough social distancing rules and swift contact tracing Australia has suffered zero Covid-19 deaths this year with just over 30,500 cases and 910 deaths in total.

But the fast-moving Delta variant has concerned authorities who have been accused of complacency after ordering a limited number of vaccines with only five per cent of the population fully vaccinated so far.

Sydney’s outbreak first emerged two weeks ago in Bondi, the famous beach suburb, before spreading rapidly across the city.

Its origin has been linked to an unvaccinated driver who transported international arrivals from the airport.

A two-day lockdown was also imposed in parts of Australia’s Northern Territory, including its capital, Darwin, after four Covid-19 cases were linked to a worker at a gold mine.

He is believed to have become infected during an overnight stay at a quarantine hotel in Brisbane. Now efforts are underway to trace all 900 workers who have left the mine for cities across Australia

Queensland and South Australia reintroduced mandatory masks and restricted home gatherings, following a similar move by Western Australian officials for state capital Perth.

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A woman surfs at Bondi Beach in Sydney June 26, 2021, on the first full day of a two-week coronavirus lockdown
AFP via Getty Images

In signs Australians are growing weary of lockdown, large crowds were seen on Bondi Beach, despite new stay-at-home orders. While outdoor exercise is allowed, pictures showed people surfing, bathing in the sun and sitting on benches with drinks.

A tweet from a vintage shop owner in Sydney which was forced to close went viral after expressing the frustration of many Australians with their country’s pandemic strategy.

“Dear Customers, We will be closed for the foreseeable future because Scott Morrison is a useless d***head who only ordered enough vaccine to vaccinate 4% of the population 18 months into a pandemic,” read the sign by artist James Powditch.

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