Bondi apartment building in isolation after new Covid cluster

Ash Cant
·2-min read

An apartment building in Sydney's eastern suburbs has been plunged into isolation, with no one allowed to enter or leave after Covid-19 spread to five different households.

Of NSW's 89 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, one was linked to the apartment block on Botany Street Bondi Junction.

"There are nine cases identified in recent days across the five different households," Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said on Tuesday.

"I think the key message to us is when you're in apartment buildings, we're not wanting you to congregate in any shared spaces with instituted mask-wearing requirements for those premises.

A NSW Police car outside the Bondi Junction apartment building as residents serve out 14 days in isolation.
The apartment block in Bondi Junction has been plunged into isolation and under guard after nine residents across five different units tested positive to Covid-19. Source: AAP

"We understand and respect that they are private premises but we are really requiring under a public health order that you wear masks when you're transiting through common areas."

The health advice for wearing face masks in all shared areas of apartment complexes applies to not only residents, but visitors, building managers, concierge staff, contractors, delivery drivers and cleaners.

In a statement, NSW Health said authorities were working with the residents and strata management to assess the situation.

NSW Health also said it was working with other agencies and "implementing measures to address infection control and the health and welfare of residents".

NSW Police are guarding the perimeter and the premises is cordoned off with no one allowed in or out.

A video shared by Today Show reporter Lara Vella shows supplies being dropped off for residents inside.

Two NSW police officers stand outside the Bondi Junction building where nine people have tested positive for Covid.
NSW Health is working with police and private security to ensure compliance. Source: AAP

A spokesperson with NSW Police confirmed officers and private security were assisting NSW Health, and were ensuring food and other provisions and services were provided to the residents throughout their 14-day isolation period.

The Covid outbreak was first detected in Bondi last month and now 767 cases have been reported since and the Delta strain spreading to other parts of Sydney.

People in Greater Sydney are subject to lockdown and people are not allowed visitors from other households or leave the home unless it is "absolutely necessary".

Right now in NSW, there are 65 people in hospital with Covid-19 and 21 people in intensive care, four patients are on ventilators.

It was also announced on Tuesday a man aged in his 70s has died after contracting Covid-19.

With AAP

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