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Holidaymakers have stayed close to home this summer break as ongoing travel restrictions and border closures boost travel to regional NSW.
Caravan and camping sites have also welcomed more visitors, with a surge in bookings at coastal holiday parks and Jindabyne.
The Toowoon Bay Holiday Park on the Central Coast has been busy since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.
Credit:Edwina Pickles
A spokeswoman for Discovery Parks, which operates holiday parks around Australia, said its top destinations were coastal and close to Sydney, with guest numbers up more than 35 per cent at resorts in Emerald Beach, Gerroa, Harrington Beach and Forster.
Tensions are rising within the State Government s senior ranks over COVID lockdown settings, as key ministers push back with increased force against chief health officer Kerry Chant s bid to tighten restrictions. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard There were 10 new cases diagnosed on Thursday from almost 28,000 tests with all but one linked to known clusters. Three new cases were recorded on Friday. While Dr Chant has had the ear of Premier Gladys Berejiklian, senior figures in the Coalition have adamantly opposed a further clampdown. Those believed to have vigorously advocated for opening up include Jobs and Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.
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On the last day of 2020, NSWâs Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant was asked if she had any New Yearâs resolutions.
She hadnât given it much thought, she told reporters at her final press conference of a bruising year. âBut I think most people can imagine what it will be ⦠to rapidly bring this cluster under control and no community transmission of COVID-19.â
Nurse Menu Caur conducts a test at a site in North Narrabeen on Monday.
Credit:Sam Mooy
Chant is no dreamer. We need to remember we re continually under threat and we are never going to go back to normal, she said. COVID will change our lives âfor literally years to comeâ.
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