Burwood welcomes easing of restrictions

Burwood Council welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement on Sunday that the harshest lockdown restrictions are now lifted. The calls for Burwood to be permanently removed from the list of LGAs of concern continue to echo through the community.

The easing of restrictions brings us closer in line with the rest of Greater Sydney, allowing residents to leave the LGA to attend weddings and funerals, have picnics with 5 fully-vaccinated people, and no limits on exercise and now it is time to take Burwood off the hotspot list and remove the authorised workers permit which is still a contentious issue.

Burwood Mayor John Faker said residents are fed up with living in a divided city.

“Our residents have done everything asked of them and more throughout the pandemic. The Government wanted higher vaccination rates we did that, they ordered a curfew, that too was complied with, and I feel the easing of restrictions is a reward for that hard work,” said Cr Faker.

“My concern is the shifting goalposts around restrictions. For weeks we’ve watched other areas of Sydney with much higher case numbers and lower vaccination rates enjoy greater freedoms.

“Nowhere has this been more apparent than where some streets are literally divided. Half the street was in a severe lockdown and the other half wasn’t. We understood the need for these rules and supported them, but it’s gone far enough – there is no longer any medical evidence why Burwood should be an LGA of concern.”

The Mayor has written to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard seeking further clarification on Burwood’s status as an LGA of concern so our residents can go to work freely.