Police officers patrol the empty steps of the Sydney Opera House during a lockdown in Sydney on Tuesday. Reuters

Gulf Today Report

Australia's most populous state, New South Wales (NSW), reported a slight rise in coronavirus infections on Tuesday, as more than 10 million have been ordered into lockdown after cases spread across the country. Brisbane on Tuesday became the fourth major city to issue stay-at-home orders.

Australia is fighting the Delta strain, first detected in India, in five of its eight states and territories, since the first case was found in NSW capital Sydney two weeks ago in a limousine driver who transported overseas airline crew.

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Worries that the variant first detected in India could touch off outbreaks have forced lockdowns in three large cities and curbs of varying strictness in several more, affecting more than 20 million Australians, or about 80% of the population.

A woman walks her dog past the St. Vincent's Hospital drive-through clinic in Sydney on the first of lockdown. AFP

The three-day snap lockdown for Brisbane, starting on Tuesday evening, comes on top of similar measures imposed in Sydney, Perth and Darwin in recent days.

"These are tough decisions," Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, after Australia recorded 23 virus cases in 24 hours.

Health workers conduct COVID-19 tests at the St. Vincentís Hospital drive-through testing clinic in Sydney. AFP

"We are having lockdowns in major cities because the overseas arrivals are bringing the virus here."

Sydney is under a two-week lockdown until July 9 while the lockdown in the northern city of Darwin was extended by another 72 hours until Friday. An outbreak in Sydney, home to a fifth of Australia's 25 million population, linked to the Delta variant has grown to nearly 150 cases.

Tough restrictions, including mandatory masks and fewer gatherings, are also in place across Australia.

Australia Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was fined A$200 ($150) by NSW police for not wearing a mask inside a petrol station, media reported, the highest ranking government official to be fined for not complying with COVID-19 rules.