Thousands of unlucky Sydneysiders will be spending Christmas in self isolation with more venues across the Harbour City added to the list of Covid hotspots.
While there were just eight new cases of community transmission on Wednesday leaving the door open for the traditional family get-together, urgent public health alerts were issued for a further dozens of venues and transport routes.
Anyone who attended the pubs, restaurants, footspas, gyms, hairdressers and more - while a positive case was there - is considered a close contact and is directed by New South Wales Health to immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days.
Urgent alert for 24 new Sydney venues as cluster spreads further from the northern beaches and it s revealed five people got infected at CBD Christmas party - while devil in the detail of NSW tests means outbreak could be worse than first thought
Among the new venues are Avalon Beach RSL and Coffee Brothers Mona Vale
Covid has spread to venues across Sydney, with Kirribilli Hotel in Milsons Point
NSW recorded 15 cases on Monday - all linked to the northern beaches cluster
38,000 people got tested on Sunday, with results not known for up to 72 hours
Five cases confirmed in a CBD workplace have been linked to the Avalon cluster
Coronavirus NSW: Rose of Australia alert expanded, 15 new cases couriermail.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from couriermail.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.