Sydney’s shopping precincts have been swarmed by bargain hunters looking for Boxing Day deals, just hours after the premier praised the community for staying away.
Some stores were nearly empty on Boxing Day morning, as customers heeded warnings to keep out of the CBD while NSW battles to contain its latest coronavirus outbreak.
However, by mid-afternoon, crowds had flocked to popular shopping areas including Pitt St Mall.
Photos captured lines forming outside stores and some – but not all – visitors wearing masks.
Earlier, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the virus remained a threat and outlined plans to revert to pre-Christmas restrictions for the next three days.
She thanked the community for cooperating with an earlier request to avoid shopping in the city.
“We were very pleased this morning to see that people listened to our instructions regarding CBD shopping,” she said.
“Those that did turn up were wearing masks, and obviously the number of people was substantially reduced and we’re deeply grateful for that.”
Photos taken earlier on Saturday morning captured only a few people roaming Sydney’s shopping precincts.
Many of those who did venture out chose to wear masks, and stores offered hand sanitiser for customers.
Paul Zahra, CEO of the Australian Retailers Association, said traffic into the Sydney CBD was at a “record low” on Boxing Day morning.
“Normally people would queue up as early as Christmas Day night to get into the stores, but this year’s been a very different year, being a COVID year of course and with Gladys’s commentary,” he told Sky News Australia.
“It’s certainly had an impact on the CBD locations this morning”.
Mr Zahra said online shopping would offer an alternative for many customers affected by coronavirus restrictions.
“The majority of retailers offer the absolute same bargains that you would see in a store online,” he said.
“In fact, the online performance across all retailers are saying there’ve been record highs this Christmas”.
On Friday, Ms Berejiklian discouraged people from making their way into the city to shop on Boxing Day.
“We know this is not the easiest message to give to those retailers but we want to discourage people go to the CBD tomorrow,” she said.
“If you’re going shopping in the CBD, make sure you wear a mask.”
Her warning came as the Sydney outbreak grew to to 118 – 108 of which are associated with the Avalon cluster.
Sweeping restrictions are already in place for the northern beaches, including caps on visitor numbers and venue capacities.
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