Global cases pass 75m mark; Boris Johnson announces new tier 4 and tightens Christmas rules – as it happened

NSW Health announced a further 23 cases on Saturday morning, prompting the state government to enforce a lock down in the area from 5pm until midnight Wednesday.

It has cast further doubt on the 2020 Sydney to Hobart race with around 150 sailors registered for the event residing in the northern beaches.

Already the Tasmanian government has shut borders to anyone who lives on Sydney’s northern beaches or visited the hotspot since December 11, and reiterated no exemptions would be made for the Sydney to Hobart fleet.

That decision is likely to affect up to a third of the fleet with the event due to start on Boxing Day.

Crisis meetings on Friday were held with the Tasmanian government and the organisers of the race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA).

A definitive decision on whether the race would go ahead was expected on Saturday morning, but the CYCA is remaining tight-lipped as they work through possible scenarios.

Should the race be cancelled it will be for the first time in its 75-year history.