A cool $44,000 — that appears to be the market value of a taxidermied polar bear.It was the top bid at Proctors Auction in Dunedin yesterday, and manager Ronnie Proctor said it was one of the highest prices for a taxidermied item…

Sydney's Bondi coronavirus cluster has had its biggest daily surge in cases — but NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned worse may be hours away.

Millions in Greater Sydney are now under the strictest lockdown in the country as it's feared the outbreak that grew by 30 cases on Sunday has not yet reached its peak.

Dozens of new hotspot locations are being revealed every few hours by contact tracers racing to identify the highest risk locations across the city where people have visited while infectious with COVID-19.

READ MORE: Australia on knife's edge as COVID spreads to states and territories

The latest location of concern is Sydney Airport's T2 Domestic terminal, NSW Health said in its latest alert on Sunday night.

Anyone who was at the food court of the terminal between 5am and 10am on Thursday, June 24, is considered a close contact and should immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. Anyone else who was at the airport during those hours is a casual contact and should get tested and self-isolate until they get a negative result.

The 30 new cases revealed on Sunday have all been linked to known clusters, however there were 19 who were not in isolation while they were infectious.

The number of cases linked to the Bondi cluster has grown to 110.

"I also do want to foreshadow that given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days case numbers are likely to increase even beyond what we've seen," Ms Berejiklian said.

READ MORE: Sydney Airport terminal among latest hotspot locations

Testing will be crucial to keep the outbreak under control, authorities said, with more than 52,000 conducted on Saturday, some of the highest numbers since the pandemic hit.

"If we all take this very seriously, we maintain those testing numbers, then two weeks (of lockdown) may be sufficient," Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

In Sydney, seafood wholesaler Great Ocean Foods in Marrickville has emerged as a key venue of concern.

Ten cases have been linked to the wholesaler, where two staff members worked while infectious.

Anyone who visited the Marrickville site or received a delivery from them at any time from June 21 through to June 25 should immediately isolate, call NSW Health on 1800 943 553 and get tested.

Their household contacts must also isolate with them and await advice from NSW Health.

READ MORE: Darwin residents given 90 minutes to prepare for first lockdown

In a separate case, an infected person went to the vaccination centre at Westmead Hospital, Dr Chant said.

She assured people all healthcare workers were wearing masks, social distancing was in place, and the area where the person went had been cleaned.

"As a precaution, we are very conservative, we have called the people that attended that vaccine centre in a period before and after the case and also looked at healthcare staff that may have been close contacts," Dr Chant said.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.

Australia is in the grips of a new COVID-19 emergency with millions in lockdown or under tough new restrictions as the virus spreads across multiple states and territories.

Australians wake today on a knife's edge, awaiting the latest case numbers amid warnings worse could be to come.

National Cabinet is set to meet, the first opportunity for state and territory leaders to combine since borders began slamming shut in the last week.

In NSW, where the crisis is worst, millions in Greater Sydney are under the strickest lockdown in the country. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned health authorities are bracing for a further spike beyond the 30 new cases on Sunday.

READ MORE: Five-hour window at Sydney Airport where COVID may have spread

Although all have been linked to the Bondi cluster, there were 19 who were not in isolation while they were infectious.

"I also do want to foreshadow that given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days case numbers are likely to increase even beyond what we've seen," Ms Berejiklian said.

The Northern Territory has recorded four local cases linked back to a miner who flew in from Queensland, prompting Chief Minister Michael Gunner to announce the region's first lockdown since the outbreak began.

READ MORE: NSW records 30 new COVID-19 cases on first day of lockdown

Queensland reported three new local cases, two of which are unlinked to NSW and believed to be the Alpha strain, and the third a miner who had been working in the Northern Territory. Western Australia also recorded one locally acquired case, and warned a new lockdown there may be introduced if the situation worsens.

"I know these immediate changes will cause significant disruption for many people, especially the school holidays. But we just cannot afford to take any chances," WA Premier Mark McGowan said.

"These changes to our border arrangements are a safe and sensible response to the alarming outbreaks we're seeing over east."

Read the full state of play below.

New South Wales

NSW recorded 30 cases on Sunday, with all of Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong already in lockdown.

Hundreds of exposure sites have been been identified by NSW Health, with more venues being added to the list every day.

Residents in regional NSW have escaped the stay-at-home orders, however a wave of new restrictions now apply to people there.

At this stage, lockdown will apply until midnight July 9.

Police have revealed that already people are breaking the rules, with one Eastern Suburbs family fined for driving to the Hunter Valley.

Here's a full breakdown of what you can and can't do in NSW.

Queensland

Queensland has recorded three new cases of the virus, two of which are not linked to the NSW outbreak and a third that is a miner who returned from working in the Northern Territory.

The first two cases detected are believed to be the Alpha strain.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced new restrictions for the state including limits on visitors and stricter travel limitations.

The first two cases, from Brisbane, visited "a lot of sites throughout the community" after becoming infectious, the premier said.

The exposure sites include gyms, shopping centres and a workplace on the Sunshine Coast.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said health authorities think the outbreak may be linked to a Portuguese restaurant where the woman dined and which has already been confirmed as the source of a number of other infections.

The miner returned from the Northern Territory, transited through Brisbane Airport on Friday night and travelled to the Sunshine Coast before testing positive on Sunday afternoon. That person was infectious in the community for about one day and contact tracers are investigating any venues of concern.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has recorded four new local cases of the virus via a mine worker who flew in from Queensland.

As a result, Darwin and surrounds have entered a 48-hour lockdown, the first since the outbreak of the pandemic.

READ MORE: Darwin residents given 90 minutes warning of first COVID lockdown

The lockdown includes Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield.

So far, the cases have all been linked to the Granites gold mine where a worker was diagnosed with having the virus after staying in hotel quarantine in Brisbane.

Residents will only be allowed to leave their home to receive medical care, receive a COVID-19 vaccination, buy essential goods and services, exercise or provide care to a family member.

Western Australia

Western Australia tightened its border restrictions on Queensland, the Northern Territory and the ACT from 6pm on Sunday (8pm AEST), with the state and territories joining Victoria on the "low-risk setting".

Those travelling to Perth will need to be tested and quarantine for 14 days, Premier Mark McGowan said.

He did not rule out a lockdown if the situation worsened, with health authorities still awaiting test results from 186 people linked to the Northern Territory mine outbreak.

Perth and Peel are already facing a range of other restrictions following a positive coronavirus case in a woman who entered Western Australia from Sydney.

Health Minister Roger Cook confirmed the latest infection on Sunday morning and said the woman aged in her 50s had been out in the community while infectious for three days.

She is believed to have been visiting Sydney, where she had dined at the Lyfe Café in Bondi on June 19. She tested negative upon returning back to WA before later developing symptoms.

From midday on Sunday, Perth and Peel moved to strict measures, including masks being required indoors and on public transport.

Victoria

Victoria has recorded no new local cases of COVID-19 and no further restrictions on its residents have been announced.

The Department of Health announced on Sunday night that new restrictions would be introduced for some travellers from Queensland and Western Australia.

From 1am on Monday, June 28, Greater Brisbane in Queensland and the Perth Metropolitan and Peel regions in Western Australia will be designated orange zones under Victoria's travel permit system.

People who have been in orange zones can obtain a permit to enter Victoria but must isolate on entry, get tested within 72 hours, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

READ MORE: Daniel Andrews returning to work

All arrivals into Victoria must apply for a travel permit even if they are entering from a green zone.

Any close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case, including anyone who has been to a high-risk exposure site, is not allowed to enter Victoria.

Exceptions and exemptions are listed on Victoria's travel permit website.

Earlier on Sunday, Acting Premier James Merlino declared Darwin a red zone, restricting non-Victorian residents from entering Victoria without an exemption.

Mr Merlino said a major operation was underway to ensure nobody entered Victoria illegally.

More than 200 officers have been deployed to the border to prevent anyone unlawfully entering Victoria.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.

Victoria has announced new restrictions for some travellers from Queensland and Western Australia as a result of the latest coronavirus concerns in the two states.

From 1am on Monday, June 28, Greater Brisbane in Queensland and the Perth Metropolitan and Peel regions in Western Australia will be designated orange zones under Victoria's travel permit system.

People who have been in orange zones can obtain a permit to enter Victoria but must isolate on entry, get tested within 72 hours, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1409107385524752389

All arrivals into Victoria must apply for a travel permit even if they are entering from a green zone.

Any close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case, including anyone who has been to a high-risk exposure site, is not allowed to enter Victoria.

Exceptions and exemptions are listed on Victoria's travel permit website.

State on high alert despite no new cases

Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired coronavirus cases overnight as numbers in New South Wales continue to climb.

Acting Premier James Merlino said Victorian authorities were closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in NSW, while the state has declared Darwin a red zone after it recorded four new local cases today and entered a snap lockdown.

He wished those in lockdown the best and thanked people for doing the right thing.

READ MORE: NSW records 30 new COVID-19 cases on first day of lockdown

Mr Merlino also said a major operation was underway to ensure nobody entered Victoria illegally.

Licence plate technology and booze buses are being used to monitor people entering the state from NSW.

"Victoria Police so far are reporting a high level of compliance, people who try to cross the border without the appropriate permits are being turned around," Mr Merlino said.

More than 200 officers have been deployed to the border to prevent anyone unlawfully entering Victoria.

Testing Commander Jeroen Weimar said close contacts of a Virgin crew member who tested positive for COVID-19 had been identified and authorities were working quickly.

"With regard to the positive case from New South Wales who flew in on flight on the Virgin flight VA334 on Friday afternoon, we have received a passenger manifest this morning," he said.

READ MORE: Restrictions announced for Perth after woman returning from Sydney tests positive to COVID-19

"We are following up with 128 passengers who were on that flight that arrived from Brisbane on Friday afternoon, and a total of 43 staff have been identified as primary close contacts of the of the worker.

"My thanks to Virgin and my thanks to the to the individual. She was tested yesterday afternoon in NSW, so we have a very swift response in place for her."

Virgin Flight VA334 from Brisbane to Melbourne on June 25 has been declared a Tier 1 exposure site.

Anyone who was on that 2.55pm-5.20pm flight must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days regardless of the result.

Mr Weimar also implored Victorians not to enter NSW, and to get tested if they have recently returned from the state.

"My concern at this point in time is that we may, of course, have more incursions coming in, and I particularly urge anybody who's been in New South Wales, you must get tested whether you've returned today or yesterday or last week – if you've been in New South Wales I'd really urge you to go and get tested," he said.

"If you are in Victoria, only travel to NSW if you absolutely must and we discourage travel to NSW at this point.

READ MORE: Four new COVID-19 cases in the Northern Territory spark 48-hour lockdown

"For those citizens living in NSW, please only come to Victoria if you have to, and abide by our border rules and get tested when you do."

Mr Weimar said 1500 people have applied for a red border permit.

No additional border restrictions have been announced however orange zones have been declared for regional areas in NSW and the ACT.

Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains are considered red zones meaning people from those areas are not allowed to enter Victoria unless they are approved for a border permit.

Sir Bob Parker became an inspirational leader during the dark days immediately after the Christchurch earthquakes. Now, Parker faces a challenge of a different kind. Speaking to TVNZ’s Sunday programme, 68-year-old Parker and…

Residents in Darwin and surrounds were given just 90 minutes to prepare for a snap 48-hour lockdown after the Northern Territory recorded four new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

The 48-hour lockdown applies to people in Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield with the new cases all linked to the Granites gold mine where a worker was diagnosed with having the virus after staying in hotel quarantine in Brisbane.

NT's Chief Minister Michael Gunner says the data is pointing towards the virus being the highly infectious Delta strain.

READ MORE: New restrictions introduced for Queensland as two community COVID-19 cases uncovered

From 1pm on Sunday, residents of Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield are only allowed to leave their homes to receive medical care, receive a COVID-19 vaccination, buy essential goods and services, exercise, or provide care to a family member.

Everyone in the lockdown area must wear a mask if they leave their home during the lockdown period.

The Territory has lived largely COVID-free since the pandemic began and the announcement of a lockdown prompted people to flood supermarkets and bottle shops to begin panic buying.

https://twitter.com/kathleengazzola/status/1408967999386636290

Mr Gunner said it is a "challenging time" for the Territory.

"It is our biggest test, it is scary and uncertain, I know that," he said.

"This is not something we ever wanted to happen here. We did not want to happen but we have always planned and prepared for the chance that it could happen.

"We have tested this scenario over and over again and we will do the hard things now to stay safe.

"We know how infectious this can be. One case turns to two, two into four, we know what happens.

"I would rather regret us going too hard too early than go too easy and risk it all.

"We know how to beat this. We know how to do the hard things right now, looking down, staying home, to stop this in its track. We will get through this."

READ MORE: New restrictions introduced for Queensland as two community COVID-19 cases uncovered

Mr Gunner urged residents of Darwin and surrounds to take the 48-hour lockdown in their stride, and urged people to be compassionate towards essential workers.

"This is not something we ever wanted to happen here. We did not want to happen but we have always planned and prepared for the chance that it could happen," Mr Gunner said.

"If you are purchasing essential goods, be patient. Treat our essential staff and health workers with respect like you would a police officer. There is no need to panic about goods."

Meanwhile, the Northern Territory's Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker has assured Territorians that there are no positive cases in remote communities, despite some rumours on social media.

"I want to assure all remote communities there are no tests returning positive at the moment in your community. We will also ensure there will be police presence in shopping centres," Mr Chalker said.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.

Daniel Andrews' wife has described fearing he would die after discovering him turning blue and crippled in pain after a horrific back injury on holiday in regional Victoria.

The Victorian Premier suffered broken ribs and spinal damage after falling on the wet stairs in Sorento, on the Mornington Peninsula, in March this year – but Mr Andrews said he is determined to run for the position of Premier again next year.

In a video message Mr Andrews said he and his family were on a weekend away, where it had been raining, when he slipped on a step heading off to work.

READ MORE: Punters betting on Daniel Andrews' return to work

"As I put my foot on the first step, I knew I was in trouble," he said in the video with his wife Catherine sitting beside him.

"I didn't really connect with the step, it just slid straight off. I became airbourne almost, so I'm horizontal with the step.

"Then all I could hear was this almighty crunch. And that's when I knew… and when I heard the crunch, I thought 'this is serious, we're in trouble here'".

Mr Andrews said his injuries left him unable to breathe, let alone call for help.

"Cath must have heard me groaning in pain. I couldn't yell out. She comes and finds me a few moments later. It felt like an eternity because I couldn't breathe. I could only take shallow breaths in and out," he said.

Mrs Andrews described finding her husband as shocking.

"You were going blue and we were looking at each other and I was thinking you're going to die here in Sorento, at this holiday house and you were looking at me and you felt the same," she said.

Mr Andrews said his wife phoned an ambulance and members of his close personal protection detail.

"I can remember the ambos getting there and they gave me one of those green whistles… but they knew I had broken ribs… so they said, don't breathe on that too hard or it will make you cough," he said.

"But it wasn't until they got a line into my hand and gave me some pretty significant pain relief that things kind of settled."

Mr Andrews offered his thanks to the first responders, saying he was proud and grateful. He also addressed the "vile stories" that were spread around his injury.

Politics isn't always like that. I've got one of the most touching and most important messages that came to me, a text message from (former Victorian Premier) Ted Baillieu on the day of this accident, the evening of that Tuesday," he said.

Mr Andrews said Mr Baillieu shared his experience with recovering from a back injury, and the importance of taking the time to properly heal from an injury.

"He made it really clear to me and us that we needed to take our time and heal properly," Mr Andrews said.

He said the injury had also given him time to remind himself of the things that are important in his life, such as family and representing Victorians.

"I'm coming back this week. I'm fit, I'm strong, I'm healthy," he said.

"I'm on the ballot next year. I'm running, and I'm running to win. There's unfinished business and I'm determined to get it done."

Two men have died following a tandem skydiving incident in NSW's Southern Tablelands.

Emergency services were called about 12.50pm today over concerns an aircraft was in difficulty.

NSW Police said the parachutists fell from the aircraft and landed near the runway of the airport in Goulburn.

Images taken before the tragedy show what appears to be the tandem skydivers tangled underneath the belly of the aircraft.

The pair were found unresponsive and were unable to be revived.

"The circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated by officers attached to The Hume Police District with the assistance of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau," NSW Police said in a statement.

The victims are yet to be formally identified, though it is believed the passenger and the skydiver are aged in their 30s.

"The company takes safety really seriously and as far as I can see this is an extremely unusual incident," Adrenaline Skydive spokesman Scott Marshall told 9News.

"And really difficult for the family and friends of those involved."

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

A third new COVID-19 case has been identified in Queensland.

A miner who had returned from working in the Northern Territory transited through Brisbane Airport on Friday night and travelled to the Sunshine Coast before testing positive on Sunday afternoon, Queensland Health said.

That person was infectious in the community for about one day and contact tracers are currently investigating any venues of concern.

The two earlier community cases of COVID-19 had been infectious in the community for a week, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed earlier as she announced new restrictions for the state.

READ MORE: Northern Territory locks down for 48 hours after four new cases

The Brisbane pair had visited "a lot of sites throughout the community" since becoming infectious, including gyms, shopping centres and a workplace on the Sunshine Coast.

From 6am on Monday, a maximum of 10 visitors will be permitted at household gatherings and the two-square metre rule will be reintroduced for venues.

Currently, up to 100 people are allowed inside households in Queensland.

The premier said the restrictions will remain in place for the duration of the two-week lockdown in place across Greater Sydney and its surrounds, as the state works to keep any infections crossing its border.

She also ramped up her message on cross-border travel, urging Queenslanders to avoid going anywhere in New South Wales.

"We have been saying for a week now for people not to go into Sydney, but now we are saying very clearly reconsider any travel to NSW, especially during this lockdown period," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Any residents who have visited Greater Sydney and its surrounds in the previous 14 days will be subject to stay-at-home orders.

READ MORE: NSW records 30 COIVD cases as new 'super-spreader' venue emerges

New cases believed to be Alpha variant

Sunday's first two new local Queensland infections are not thought to be the Delta strain of the virus currently gripping Sydney, but rather the Alpha variant, Ms Palaszczuk said.

However, genome sequencing is still underway.

One of the infected individuals was working at the DFO store at Brisbane Airport when it was visited by an infectious flight attendant last Saturday, but it's not believed that it where they were infected.

Instead, Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said health authorities think the person may be linked to a Portuguese restaurant where the woman dined and which has already been confirmed as the source of a number of other infections.

"We know that they are known to friends of some of the people who attended that Portuguese restaurant (where the same woman dined)," Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said.

"So we suspect that's where the linkage has happened."

The new case did not themselves attend the restaurant.

READ MORE: Four new COVID-19 cases in NT prompt 48-hour lockdown

They are being deemed as infectious since last Saturday June 20, while the second case — a member of the first's household — is judged as having become infectious the following day.

Since then, they have visited "a lot of sites throughout the community", Dr Young warned, including gyms, several shopping centres and a workplace on the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland Health will update its list of exposure sites with the relevant venues later today.

There has also been one new case detected in the state's hotel quarantine program.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.

New South Wales has recorded 30 new community cases of COVID-19 as Greater Sydney and surrounds enter their first full day of lockdown.

All of today's new cases have been linked to existing clusters but 19 were not in isolation while infectious.

The new infections have sparked concerns around potential exposures at a major western Sydney Hospital, an inner-west seafood wholesaler and a number of interstate flights.

READ MORE: Five Virgin flights sent into isolation after crew member tests positive

https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1408953262187827200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

It is the highest number of daily cases recorded since the start of the Bondi outbreak, but Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned further increases were likely in the coming days.

"We are seeing that people in isolation, unfortunately, would have already transmitted to all their house contacts," Ms Berejiklian said.

More than 52,000 coronavirus tests were conducted yesterday, down slightly from just over 55,000 the previous day.

LIVE UPDATES: Darwin to go into lockdown as four new cases recorded

The number of cases connected to the burgeoning Bondi cluster now stands at 110, while two other community cases are under investigation.

There is also one new case who caught the virus from a Northern Territory gold mine worker revealed as a positive case yesterday.

The miner is believed to have contracted the virus while in hotel quarantine in Queensland.

That NSW resident has since travelled back to their home in the Hunter New England region of NSW and was in quarantine while infectious.

READ MORE: Two new Queensland cases 'visited a lot of sites' while infectious

One of their household contacts has also since tested positive.

Anyone who worked at the mine in the Northern Territory between June 18 and 26 and returned to NSW should immediately isolate and call NSW Health to arrange urgent testing.

If they have any symptoms, the households of those individuals are also being asked to isolate.

In Sydney, a seafood wholesaler in Marrickville is emerging as a key venue of concern.

Ten of today's 30 new cases are linked to the Great Ocean Foods wholesaler, where two staff members worked while infectious.

NSW Health is upgrading its warning for the distributor.

Anyone who visited the Marrickville site or received a delivery from them at any time from June 21 through to June 25 to immediately isolate, call NSW Health on 1800 943 553 and get tested.

Their household contacts must also isolate with them and await advice from NSW Health.

READ MORE: All the latest Sydney COVID-19 exposure sites

In a separate case, an infected individual went to the vaccination centre at Westmead Hospital, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

She assured people all healthcare workers were wearing masks, social distancing was in place and the area where the person went has been cleaned.

"As a precaution, we are very conservative, we have called the people that attended that vaccine centre in a period before and after the case and also looked at healthcare staff that may have been close contacts," Dr Chant said.

While contact tracers race to trace new infection sources and isolate those exposed, NSW Police is ramping up its crackdown on anyone found breaching lockdown restrictions now in place across Sydney and its surrounds.

Fifteen people were fined for breaches of restrictions, including a group of people who "converged" on a Woolworths in Kellyville, a Sydney family who travelled to the Hunter for a sporting event and an Illawarra cafe owner and staff who refused to wear masks.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.