Coronavirus NSW: New restrictions announced as sports venues on high alert
Two Sydney sports clubs have closed after visitors with confirmed cases of coronavirus attended the venues.
It comes as NSW recorded 14 new coronavirus cases in the 24-hour period ahead of Saturday.
Eight of the new cases are linked to the Sydney CBD gym cluster, bringing the total number of cases in this cluster to 23. Just one is from an overseas arrival and the source of three of the new cases is still under investigation.
Randwick Golf Club issued a statement on Friday afternoon after a confirmed case linked to the gym cluster played a round of golf and spent time inside the clubhouse on August 25.
“On Tuesday, the visitor hit off at approximately 8am and entered the clubhouse for 30 minutes at 11.49am.
“People that were in close contact with the individual have been informed and I would recommend that they get tested,” it said in a statement.
The club said the pro shop and golf course would remain open as normal, with the club hoping to reopen after a deep clean on Monday afternoon.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the growing cluster linked to a Sydney CBD gym was proof how quickly virus outbreaks can spiral out of control.
Dr Chant on Friday announced six new cases linked to the cluster associated with the gym at the City Tattersalls Club before eight more were announced on Saturday.
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The infections have also caused the shutdown of a number of other venues across the city.
"It highlights how quickly COVID-19 can spread in the sense we have a seeding event, its amplification and then that has seeded other workplaces and led to exposure in the community to a number of venues that we have announced," Dr Chant said.
Mosman Rowers has also advised members and visitors it would undergo a deep clean after a confirmed case visited the club on August 24 and 25.
NSW Health advised the club in Sydney’s lower north shore that it believed the risk of infection was low, however all staff who may have interacted with the case are being tested and will self-isolate.
“After undertaking a site inspection, reviewing the Club’s procedures and the small number of people in-venue at the times mentioned, NSW Health Officers advised that they believe there has been no close contact with any members, guests or staff,” President Kathrina Doran said in a statement.
Visitors banned at Sydney aged care homes
Aged care homes in Sydney, and on the NSW Central Coast, will be closed to visitors for two weeks as a precaution to prevent COVID-19 threatening vulnerable residents.
An alert issued by NSW Health on Friday night says the current coronavirus cluster in Sydney's CBD involves people who travelled from multiple areas in the metropolitan and Central Coast areas.
"As a precaution NSW Health is extending existing visitor restrictions by strongly advising people who live or work in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area and Central Coast to refrain from visiting aged care facilities until 12 September," it said.
It requested all staff wear masks while working.
"There is currently no evidence of any cases in aged care residents or staff in aged care facilities in NSW. These are precautionary steps to prevent the entry of COVID-19 into this vulnerable setting," the statement said.
Across the state, 13 new infections were recorded and another four Sydney schools shut on Friday. Only one of the new cases was a returned overseas traveller, with the rest locally acquired.
with AAP
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