Coronavirus Sydney: Two pubs linked to growing outbreak
Two additional Sydney pubs have been linked to a growing coronavirus outbreak in southwest Sydney.
The Macarthur Tavern, in Sydney’s southwest, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday a customer has tested positive for COVID-19.
“The patron was in our venue on Saturday the 11th July between 9pm and 12 midnight,” it wrote.
“We are working closely with NSW health on this case.”
The pub is closed for deep cleaning but hopes to reopen on Wednesday at 3pm.
NSW recorded 13 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday.
Second pub warns patrons of coronavirus infection
Wests Leagues Club, in Campbelltown, also advised people on Facebook on Wednesday a customer at its venue tested positive for coronavirus.
The club said this person was at the venue on Friday at 8pm and again in the early hours of Sunday morning between 12am – 2.30am.
“Subsequently we made the decision to close the club from 11:30pm last night,” the club wrote on Facebook.
“A deep clean of the premises is presently underway and the club will re-open at midday today (Wednesday).”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Tuesday there were 28 coronavirus cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula - a pub which is also located in Sydney’s southwest.
In total there are now 34 cases linked to the hotel, with Dr Chant adding six were people who attended the venue.
Dr Chant has urged anyone who visited the Crossroads Hotel from July 3 to 10 has to come forward for testing and even those not showing symptoms should self-isolate.
Changes to pub rules in NSW
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a number of changes at pubs moving forward as the state tries to stop the spread of the virus.
NSW recorded 13 new cases on Tuesday.
Ms Berejiklian said among the changes included group bookings reduced from 20 to 10.
She hopes smaller bookings will lead to less people standing indoors.
“We know from the health advice we've received from the beginning of the pandemic, that indoor activity, where people aren't seated is a huge health risk,” Mr Berejiklian said.
“It increases the chance of transmission and it was actually the AHA's (Australian Hotels Association) advice to us which said that if you reduce bookings from from 20 to 10, it reduces the likelihood for people who may mingle, that when you have a group of 10, the likelihood that everybody stays seated and that behaviour will continue is a safe option.”
Northern Territory keeps borders closed to Sydney
The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Michael Gunner told reporters on Wednesday the NT will keeps its borders shut to anyone from Sydney.
The NT plans to reopen borders on Friday. Victorians are also not allowed in the NT either.
“The Security and Emergency Management Committee met again this morning with the Chief Health Officer to discuss the recent developments of cases in Sydney,” Mr Gunner said.
“After considering his advice, we will declare all local government areas in Greater Metropolitan Sydney as hotspot areas for the purposes of travel to the Northern Territory.
“This means that from Friday, if there are any arrivals to the Territory from Sydney, or who have been in Sydney in the previous 14 days, they will be directed into mandatory supervised quarantine.”
Anyone placed in quarantine in the NT will have to pay for their accomodation.
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