Authorities in New South Wales have requested assistance from the Australian Defence Force to enforce Covid-19 measures and compliance during lockdown.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller Photo: AFP
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller made a formal request to the Federal Government today for Australia Defence Force assistance. Fuller has asked for 300 ADF personnel to boost its operational capacity.
The request comes as NSW police step up their Covid-19 compliance operation, significantly expanding its enforcement activities across Greater Sydney.
Earlier today, it was announced NSW police had been granted new powers to close down business, construction sites and public premises found to be breaching public health orders.
Those powers come into effect from tomorrow.
Last week it was revealed the Premier Gladys Berejiklian had declined an earlier offer for assistance from the ADF.
Today the state [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/447985/nsw-reports-239-new-covid-19-cases
recorded 239 new locally-acquired cases overnight], with at least 70 of those being infectious in the community, as the pandemic crisis deepened.
- More to follow
-ABC