Outrage has erupted after NSW’s leaders plunged the entire state into lockdown via Twitter on Saturday afternoon. After several Nationals MPs had shared the news via their Facebook pages, the first official announcement came from Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s Twitter account. The move was instantly lashed online, with people labelling the lack of press conference “disgusting” and “insulting” to locals. Journalist Sarah Steward said it was “appalling” the lockdown was announced on Twitter.
“Yes let’s protect them but also show some respect - I’m sure there was time in today’s 45 min presser for a mention,” she wrote. “A lot of older people aren’t on social media, but they watch their local news,” one woman said. Another asked: “Are they seriously locking down all of NSW without a press conference?” The Deputy Premier - who did not hold a press conference - told it was “difficult” to get the message out. “It’s very difficult when you’ve got to get the message out, and we understand that in some parts of the state they probably haven’t heard about it yet,” Mr Barilaro said. He said he was “very confident” the statewide lockdown would not be extended beyond seven days.
The statewide lockdown begins at 5pm on Saturday and will last until 12.01am on August 22. This order replaces all existing lockdown orders for regional NSW, with Sydney’s lockdown not slated to end until at least August 28. Authorities gave NSW residents just two hours notice of the impending lockdown, with a formal statement not issued by NSW Health until after 3pm. But Mr Barilaro told that the decision was made at lunch time on Saturday.
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