Furious residents in a locked down public housing tower in Sydney have made defiant gestures from their balconies while supporters protest below.
Those in controlled buildings across NSW are being restricted to six drinks per day and claim their deliveries are being opened and searched by authorities.
The state’s health department have introduced the drink limit in ‘controlled buildings’ and claim the measure will ‘ensure the safety of health staff and residents’.
Residents in the Common Ground tower are complaining about their extraordinary lack of freedom
Residents in the Common Ground tower look on as police and volunteers carry donated food and games into the building
A handmade sign on one balcony reads ‘class war’ hinting to the lack of the same restrictions in other areas of the state
Common Ground in Camperdown, a housing commission building in Sydney’s inner-west, is the latest building to fall under a full lockdown after several cases were reported in the complex – with locals complaining about an extraordinary denial of freedoms.
Supporters of the residents have come out onto the streets outside the building, waving flags and holding up signs protesting against these strict restrictions.
One resident has also flown a hand-made sign from their balcony that reads ‘class war’, saying that the residents of the tower feel as though they are being treated differently to others in the state.
‘Hey NSW Police, Common Ground residents are wondering what happened to the alcohol and tobacco items dropped of to them last night?’ resident and artist Ms Saffaa posted to Twitter.
‘And under which powers are you allowed to confiscate them? Last time I checked these are legal to consume in this country.’
One Nation MP Mark Latham was outraged by the booze limit and the intrusion of ‘health’ measures into people’s legal rights.
‘Is there any limit to the fascist tendencies of this NSW Liberal Government? Is this really what Menzies intended?’ Mr Latham tweeted.
Supporters of Common Ground residents have protested against their strict restrictions
Locals have shown up in support of the residents who are trapped in their homes, unable to go out and purchase their own essential goods
The Common Ground building, sponsored by Mission Australia, includes 104 units, many of which providing homes for homeless people throughout the area.
The building was cast into an extreme lockdown nearly two weeks ago after four cases were confirmed on the site.
It was scheduled to last for 14 days.
Residents have received food from charities, but have only received a box of canned food lacking nutritional value.
Police and volunteers are helping to carry donated food and games into the building.
People living inside the complex have received packages opened by NSW Police to check the contents inside before handing to recipients
People say despite paying for alcohol, they are only being rationed six beers or pre-mixed drinks, a bottle of wine or 375ml bottle of spirits per day
Ms Saffaa said neighbours have complained that their packages are all arriving clearly previously opened, claiming officials have crudely stuck the parcels back together
Residents are only allowed to have either six beers or pre-mixed drinks, one bottle of wine or one 375ml bottle of spirits.
Excess alcohol is being confiscated until the lockdown rules are lifted.
These restrictions are the same as those locked in hotel quarantine after arriving from overseas.
Residents are not happy with the conditions they have been made to live it, with most residents having already experienced homelessness or insecure housing.
‘A member of our community has delivered multiple hampers of fresh food, alcohol, and cigarettes, however the alcohol and some cigarette packs have been removed,’ Ms Saffaa said.
‘NSW police are systematically searching our package, mail, and our belongings and now we have items missing.’
Health officials say the measures are for the residents’ own good and that of their neighbours.
‘In all residential lockdown locations, NSW Police are there to ensure compliance with the Public Health Orders and assist NSW Health if required,’ a police spokesperson said.
Residents have had food provided from charities, but they’ve only received a box of canned food lacking nutritional value
Ms Saffaa said neighbours have complained that their packages are all arriving clearly opened, claiming officials have crudely stuck the parcels back together.
‘My packages have been arriving sealed. However, my neighbour received a package from a department store. The seal was broken then re taped with clear tape,’ she posted to Twitter.
‘My neighbour contacted the store and they reassured him that the package was sealed when it left their premises.’
Returning Australians from overseas have experienced similar controls in hotel quarantine, with people having items such as toasters confiscated by staff.
Ms Saffaa also complained of being interrupted at all times of the day and night by workers including nurses, asking questions and repeatedly performing tests.
NSW recorded one of the deadliest days of the pandemic on Wednesday with nine people recorded as dying with Covid including a man in his 20s – all of whom had significant underlying health problems – and a further 1,480 positive tests.
A resident has complained about being interrupted at all times of the day and night by workers