Soldiers patrol streets in Sydney, Australia to stem spread of virus

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Australia has deployed soldiers to patrol the streets of the city of Sydney, going door-to-door to advise residents against going outside as New South Wales (NSW) recorded 207 new locally transmitted cases as of Sunday night, according to locals.

"Soldiers came to our door steps, asking whether we need anything," one resident of the city, which is under lockdown, told Anadolu Agency over the phone.

"They inquire whether any outsider entered our area or our homes. Strict measures are being enforced to stem the spread of the infection," he said, identifying himself only as Ahmad.

Troops had also been sent last year to Melbourne amid mass virus cases to help the local authorities stem the spread of infection.

The NSW Health Department said in a statement that 209 more cases were registered in the region, with only two being imported. One person died in the state over the past day, added the statement, with the latest outbreak being linked to the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus.

Local officials in NSW asked the federal government for the deployment of the soldiers to aid anti-virus measures.

Last Thursday amid a resurgence in cases, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller asked the administration of Prime Minister Scott Morrison to deploy 300 troops to help Greater Sydney residents "comply with lockdown restrictions."

The federal government soon responded, sending the soldiers, who are helping state police "deliver food parcels, conduct welfare door-knocks and go through compliance checks," according to SBS News reported.

Restrictions are severe in the region. "Only one person from a household is allowed to venture out to buy essentials," Ahmad said.

Fuller said the operation will be "centered around the welfare of the community and ensuring that stay-at-home orders ... are observed."

The region has reported 9,171 since the NSW reported its first cases on Jan. 25 last year. Around 71 people have died due to the COVID-19 in the region.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian urged people to get vaccinated. "August is the month where we all should come forward and get vaccinated," she told reporters.

"It will be a combination of seeing where the case numbers are in a month's time, as well as the rate of vaccination, that determines what August 29 looks like. I have been saying for some months that 80% of the adult population vaccinated would get us freedoms beyond no more lockdowns, and that is 10 million jabs," she said.

The country has reported 34,615 COVID-19 cases as of Monday. Some 925 have lost their lives to the virus in Australia since the pandemic began in December 2019.