Australia pledges financial aid as Sydney lockdown continues

Prime minister Scott Morrison said the presence in Sydney of the delta variant, first identified in India, which is thought to be more contagious, had escalated the pandemic danger

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison adjusts his mask during the announcement of a Covid-19 financial support package. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP/AP

Australian government officials have announced added financial support for businesses and households as Sydney appeared increasingly likely to enter a fourth week of lockdown due to coronavirus clusters.

New South Wales state premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would announce on Wednesday whether Sydney’s five million residents would remain locked down beyond the three-week mark on Friday.