Australia on alert as outbreak on Sydney s Northern Beaches threatens to spread across New South Wales
17th new case within 24 hours recorded as 270,000 were asked to stay at home, avoid travel or going out
But it was a different story in Sydney s CBD as hundreds of revellers celebrated the start of the festive season
The outbreak leaves travel plans in chaos as states and territories quickly stepped up travel restrictions
NSW Health has urged Northern Beaches residents to be tested for COVID-19
There is currently a growing cluster of 17 infections in the Northern Beaches
Celebrity chef Pete Evans told Sydneysiders to not get tested on Facebook
He said coronavirus is the common cold despite being a different disease
Evans has said he will quit Facebook but made more than 13 posts on Thursday