Army deployed in Sydney to oversee enforcement of lockdown orders

World

Published: 2021-08-02 09:46

Last Updated: 2024-03-15 13:00


Source: The Guardian
Source: The Guardian

The army deployed to the streets of Sydney on Monday to ensure the implementation of the lockdown announced by the Australian capital. 

In nearby Brisbane, the country's third-largest city, quarantine measures were also extended to contain the new COVID-19 outbreak. 

The authorities are trying hard to stop the spread of the highly contagious Delta mutant in Sydney and to ensure that residents follow health rules, with more than 3,600 infections recorded since mid-June.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said Saturday that "police officers will be assisted by Australian Defense Force personnel in delivering food, knocking on doors... and carrying out inspections to verify compliance with stay-at-home orders and quarantine."

More than five million people in and around Australia's largest cities are entering a sixth week of lockdown expected to last until late August.

Residents are only allowed to leave their homes for exercise, essential work or health reasons, and to purchase basic necessities such as food.

But many are no longer abiding by the rules and police fines have increased for those who break the restrictions.

The Defense Force reported that the latest deployment of soldiers comes in addition to the 250 soldiers who have been deployed in hotels and airports in New South Wales.

Meanwhile, millions of people were still under lockdown measures in Brisbane and a number of surrounding areas as of Sunday after the number of "escalating" infections in the region reached 29.

The isolation orders were due to be rescinded Tuesday.

With only about 14 percent of Australia's 25 million population fully vaccinated, the authorities are still relying on lockdown measures to control the outbreak.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison hopes to vaccinate 80 percent of the population before reopening borders and lifting closures.

Australia has recorded more than 34,000 infections and 925 deaths so far as a result of the pandemic.