'Despicable': Fake Covid alert about supermarkets slammed
A fake NSW Health media alert has emerged warning people about the supposed closure of supermarkets.
The alert, shared on Twitter by 10 News reporter Antoinette Lattouf, tells people the lockdown has been extended until July 30.
It makes mention of the areas under lockdown: Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Shellharbour and Wollongong.
“In these areas, supermarkets will be closed for four days from July 27 2021,” the fake alert reads.
“We understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience.”
This FAKE @NSWHealth media release is doing the rounds on WhatsApp suggesting supermarkets in Sydney will be closed for 4 days. What kind of person does this? How does one come up with the *cool* idea to just confuse and f*ck with people when the masses already struggling? pic.twitter.com/P4A194RmOW
— Antoinette Lattouf (@antoinette_news) July 22, 2021
Lattouf said the fake alert is doing the rounds on WhatsApp.
“What kind of person does this?” she tweeted.
“How does one come up with the *cool* idea to just confuse and f*** with people when the masses are already struggling?”
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Her sentiment was echoed by others frustrated that the “awful” fake alert might cause anxiety.
“This is despicable. The people in these areas of NSW are already under so much pressure, can only imagine the panic seeing something like this would cause,” one man tweeted.
Another man called it “poor form”.
NSW Health has been contacted for comment.
Two Woolworths staff members work while infectious
Earlier, the health department warned people after two Woolworths team members worked a number of shifts while infectious with Covid-19 at the same store.
NSW Health is warning people who attended the Woolworths supermarket at Glenrose Village in Belrose to check the times they visited the store to identify whether they are considered a close contact.
The health department is concerned about anybody who shopped at the store on the following dates between the specified times:
Saturday July 10 between 8.30am and 8.40am
Thursday July 15 between 7.30am and 9am
Friday July 16 between 5.55am and 4.30pm
Saturday July 17 between 5.55am and 4.30pm
Sunday July 18 between 5.55am and 4.30pm
Monday July 19 between 6am and 4pm
Tuesday July 20 between 7.30am and 9am
Anybody who visited the supermarket between those times is required to get a Covid test immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.
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