New Year's Eve

'Covid loves a crowd' is the guiding sentiment for this New Year's Eve.

Governments are threatening dire consequences for people who venture out to enjoy themselves as the clock ticks down to midnight.

Local authorities are telling people to watch fireworks and other festivities on television at home.

Overnight curfew will continue to be enforced at 8pm but may be brought forward to 6pm in areas with rising infection rates.

A resurgence of Covid-19 in the city's northern beach suburbs has grown to 125 cases after five new infections were recorded on Monday.

The mayor says they cannot afford a huge congregation of people on New Year's Eve.