Sidney Government: The Safest Way To Enjoy New Year's Fireworks Is At Home

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JAKARTA - Sidney, one of the big cities in the world that welcomes every New Year with a fireworks display above the Opera House, has banned large gatherings on New Year's Eve amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The COVID-19 outbreak in mid-December on the city's northern coastline has grown to 125 after five new infections were recorded on Monday, December 28.

About a quarter of a million people in the city must remain under lockdown until January 9.

The head of the New South Wales (NSW) Government Gladys Berejiklian banned citizens from coming to downtown Sydney on New Year's Eve and limited outdoor gatherings to 50 people, reported Antara on Monday, December 28.

"We don't want to have an event on New Year's Eve, which can ruin everything," Berejiklian said at a news conference.

He added that watching fireworks from home is the safest way for people to do it.

"On New Year's Eve, we really don't want crowds on the waterfront around Sydney," he said.

Only residents with a downtown hospitality permit will be allowed in Sydney on New Year's Eve.

Families across Sidney are only allowed 10 people until further notice.

NSW police have issued 15 notices for violating public health orders since Christmas Eve in Sydney, including to 11 people holding a home party in North Bondi on Saturday.

"When a large part of New South Wales, even a large part of Australia, is doing the right thing, I'm going to tell people not to do anything stupid in the coming days," said NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

Australia as a whole has avoided its worst pandemic due to rapid border closings, lockdowns, widespread testing and distancing.

Australia has recorded more than 28,300 infections, mostly in the state of Victoria, and 908 deaths.