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headline

Panic buying takes hold after new lockdown announcement

Supermarkets across New South Wales are being inundated as residents facing a two-week coronavirus lockdown stock up on essentials.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned against panic buying when she announced Greater Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains would be subject to stay-at-home orders from 6pm today.

However, despite shopping for essential items being listed as one of the four reasons to leave home, people are flooding into stores across the state to stock up on popular household items including toilet paper and cooking essentials.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the lockdown

Huge lines have been seen in supermarkets in Sydney suburbs including Marrickville, Crows Nest, Seven Hills, Sylvania, Neutral Bay, Wentworthville and Marsden Park.

Shoppers have reported extended waits to get into Woolworths and Coles.

Ms Berejilkian made it clear today there would be no reason to rush to the shops.

"There is no need to panic buy. All the shops will be open every day of the week," she said.

"There is no curfew. You can leave your home at any stage to purchase any essential goods that you need to and that is a given.

"Be thoughtful and considerate about fellow citizens and no need to panic buy."

Shelves had started to be stripped bare yesterday as four local government areas in Sydney's east were locked down.

Today 29 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were detected in the last 24 hours to 8pm, 17 of which we already knew about.

Twelve cases were previously unannounced.

The premier warned restrictions could last up to two weeks.

headline

Scott Morrison confirms NSW lockdown recovery payments

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed disaster recovery payments will now be available to anyone in NSW affected by the coronavirus lockdown.

"It's difficult news today for my fellow Sydneysiders as we learn we will go into lockdown tonight from 6pm across the greater metropolitan area – from up in the Central Coast, out in the Blue Mountains and down into Wollongong," Mr Morrison said.

"To support Sydneysiders going through this time, from the first of July the Commonwealth disaster recovery payments for the pandemic will kick in and you'll be able to access those by contacting Services Australia.

READ MORE: Lockdown extends beyond Sydney

"The same payments of up to $500 per week were also available during the recent Melbourne lockdown.

"This pandemic is sadly still raging all around the world and from time to time it will have its impact here in Australia."

Mr Morrison said the lockdown was a necessary decision taken by the NSW Government to stay on top of this latest outbreak.

He commended the state for their contact tracing efforts and Australia's handling of the coronavirus pandemic since it began.

READ MORE: What NSW lockdown announcement means for disaster payments

"Australia has been able to save lives and livelihoods and suppress this virus more successfully than almost any other country in the world," he said.

"But that doesn't mean there is any absolute guarantee against this insidious virus.

"This is truly a global pandemic and it will continue to seek to have its impact wherever and whenever it wants – so as Australians we have to endure these outcomes."

headline

Q&A: Greater Sydney lockdown

All of Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong will be plunged into a two week lockdown from 6pm today in a bid to stamp out the state's escalating coronavirus outbreak.

The two-week lockdown with stay-at-home orders will last until midnight, Friday July 9.

NSW EXPOSURE SITES: Full list and latest details here

What does the lockdown mean?

The lockdown means there are only four reasons to leave your home, including: shopping for food or other essential goods and services; medical care or compassionate needs including getting vaccinated; exercise outdoors and essential work or education, where you cannot work or study at home.

There is no curfew.

"It means all of us have to stay home unless for the four following reasons," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Saturday afternoon.

"Unless we have to work outside the home or get educated outside of the home, and given school holidays, that obviously doesn't apply.

"But if you must work outside the home, you're able to do that."

"If you need to seek medical attention, including getting a COVID test, getting a vaccine or any other medical attention, you're allowed to," Ms Berejiklian said.

"And you're also allowed to leave the home for care and compassionate grounds as well.

"Obviously, you're allowed outside to purchase goods, essential goods and services. There is no need to panic buy. All the shops will be open every day of the week."

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said people can also go have their coronavirus vaccination.

Who does the lockdown apply to?

The restrictions apply to everyone in the Greater Sydney area, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.

Regional areas, which aren't in lockdown, will have to undergo restrictions that have been in place for broader Sydney.

"In those regions, no more than five visitors in your home. All hospitality has to be seated – one person per four square metre rule," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Only a 50 per cent capacity for outdoor events. Indoor mask wearing and, again, restrictions in relation to funerals and weddings. So for those parts of New South Wales that aren't in lockdown, restrictions still apply."

The public health order does not apply to a person aged 12 years or under, or a person with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable including, for example, a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma.

Is retail still open?

Only "essential" retail stores and supermarkets are still open, but you should only shop for essential food and supplies when you need them.

"You can go out and buy anything you need any time of the day," Ms Berejiklian said.

What about beauty salons or hairdressers?

No, these are classed as non-essential and must close for at least the week.

Can I visit family/friends?

No, you won't be able to have visitors to your home or have gatherings during the lockdown.

Can I go out for exercise?

People are permitted to exercise outside, but not in groups of more than 10.

Is community sport allowed?

No.

Are gyms open?

Indoor exercise is not permitted, therefore gyms must shut.

Are nightclubs and indoor entertainment venues open?

Nightclubs and entertainment venues are not essential, therefore they are not permitted.

A quiet Sydney as new coronavirus restrictions came into force

Can I still have a wedding or funeral?

Today and tomorrow, COVID-safe weddings can take place, but from Monday and for the remainder of lockdown, they cannot.

Funerals can take place with a maximum of 100 guests, the one per square four-metre rule will apply and masks indoors are mandatory.

What are the travel restrictions?

From 6pm tonight, all residents in the Greater Sydney will be required to stay at their homes unless leaving the house for the four essential reasons.

There is no travel radius like in Melbourne's lockdown, meaning there is no limit on how far you can travel for essential reasons.

Are cafes and restaurants still open?

Businesses must only provide essential food and services. For example, takeaway food or grocery services.

Can I go to work or school?

People need to work and study from home where possible, but you are permitted to leave home for work and school purposes if you must.