NSW Premier says no known end date to lockdown

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says not even health experts can predict when Sydney’s lockdown will end as she refutes suggestions it will extend into the middle of September.

“I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions like that,” she said on radio station 2GB. “[That information] certainly wasn’t from me or anyone in the know.”

The Premier was responding to reports the state government has completed financial modelling for the lockdown to continue until September 17.

“I know that everybody thinks they’ve got a scoop in saying when this will end … the real answer is not even the experts know that answer because it is literally a day by day, week by week issue.”

Asked whether she should have imposed a localised lockdown earlier, Ms Berejiklian said there was no way of predicting how the outbreak would play out.

“You can never have a crystal ball,” she said. “I’m never going to claim you can have the right settings and perfection in the pandemic.

“There’s no rulebook for the Delta strain.”

The Premier also continues to reject suggestions the state should introduce “single bubbles” for Sydneysiders struggling with social isolation.

“At the moment if you’re living alone you can connect with someone to exercise … within 10 kilometres,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I know how difficult it is, I was in a similar situation last year.”