The stay-at-home order imposed on residents of Sydney’s northern beaches has been reinstated after the conclusion of Christmas festivities. NSW recorded nine new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on December 25, from almost 40,000 tests. Eight of those cases were connected to the 116-strong northern beaches cluster. After a three-day reprieve for small indoor Christmas gatherings, the northern beaches has from Sunday returned to restrictions barring indoor gatherings. But outdoor gatherings of up to five people on the northern end of the northern beaches are permissible, as well as outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people on the southern end of the northern beaches. People may neither enter nor exit the local government area. For the rest of Sydney as well as Wollongong, the Central Coast and Blue Mountains, 10-person private gathering restrictions again apply. The rules for New Year’s Eve will be announced on …