New South Wales records 14 new cases of coronavirus as Melbourne struggles to contain outbreak 

Coronavirus cases are back on the rise in New South Wales, sparking fears of a second outbreak.

Fourteen new cases were diagnosed in NSW in the 24 hours up until to 8pm on Tuesday, which brought the total number to 3,203 recorded since January 25.

All 14 new cases were returned travellers now in hotel quarantine.

The spike comes as Melbourne struggles to contain a second wave of new infections with 212 cases in Victoria in the last three days, including 73 on Tuesday.

The figures have prompted state health minister Brad Hazzard to urge NSW residents to not cross the border and issued a ban for anyone coming from Victorian hotspots.

Anyone from a Melbourne hotspot caught in NSW could face six months in jail and an $11,000 fine from 11.59pm Wednesday.

Anyone from NSW who recently visited a Melbourne hotspot must now self-isolate for 14 days.

‘The message to NSW residents is don’t go to Victorian hotspots, just don’t go,’ Mr Hazzard said.

‘It’s not something we want to do but we must do for our own safety.’ 

It’s understood the minister will sign a public health order implementing the changes later on Wednesday, the ABC reported.

NSW recorded 14 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. Pictured is a man being tested at St George Hospital

The spike in new NSW infections coincided with a further easing of the state’s lockdown restrictions with the return of community sport and increased numbers allowed in larger outdoor venues.

The 50-person limit on at indoor venues such as pubs, cafes, restaurants and churches was also scrapped while sporting venues with capacity of up to 40,000 will also open up to crowds to fill up to a quarter of the normal capacity.

Of the 3,203 coronavirus cases in NSW, 2,787 have recovered while 63 cases are being treated by NSW Health, including one in intensive care.

Around 16,243 tests were conducted in NSW on Tuesday, compared with 12,950 tests on Monday. 

Health minister Brad Hazzard urged NSW residents to not cross the Victoria border, which has recorded 212 cases in the last three days. Pictured are queues at a drive-in coronavirus testing site at Melbourne Showgrounds on Tuesday

‘That is so important and will continue to be so important,’ Mr Hazzard said.

‘We’re seeing what’s happening just across the border, in Victoria, and the message for all NSW residents is this COVID-19 pandemic is still very much a risk to us here in NSW.’

Health authorities urge anyone who feels unwell with mild symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat to self-isolate and get tested.

NSW has carried out more than 870,000 tests while the number of deaths remains at 51, almost half of the national toll.