Single mum denied entry to Woolworths because of Covid restrictions
A single mum was fuming after she was wrongly denied entry to a Woolworths store with her two children by a shopping centre security guard.
Capturing the moment on TikTok, the user aheineck filmed the moment she was stopped by the security guard at the Imperial Centre in Gosford, NSW, explaining she's a single mother and has no option but to bring her children with her to do her shopping.
The furious mum wrote: "Apparently you can't take your kids to the shops when [you're] a single mum... this rent-a-cop refused entry to a mum and her kids at Woolworths," over the video, which has been viewed over 129,000 times.
"I am a single mother," the woman says in the clip, taken outside the Woolworths, before saying she doesn't have anyone to look after her kids while she shops.
"There's nothing you can do if you don't have any friends then," the security guard can be heard saying in the clip, which has over 7,000 likes, adding, "It's very unfortunate."
"You're making my children uncomfortable," she tells the man as she walks off, and also calls him "ridiculous".
Users shocked over harsh restrictions
TikTok users couldn't believe she wasn't allowed in the store, with thousands of comments voicing their support for the mum.
"I take my daughter to the shops whenever I need essential items, no way am I leaving her at home!" one user wrote.
"Love the way he suggested a friend look after your kids so you could shop... did he forget we can't have visitors to our homes," another exclaimed.
A spokesperson from Woolworths told Yahoo News Australia that the security guard is not employed by Woolworths and they understand there are families in unique circumstances across the country which they welcome in-store to shop.
Under the current restrictions imposed under the lockdown of Greater Sydney and surrounding areas, including the Central Coast, only one person per household may leave the home to obtain food or other goods and services each day.
However you may take a dependent person with you if that person cannot be left at home on their own, such as children.
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Shopping centre issues apology
The Imperial Centre issued a statement to Yahoo News apologising for the incident and recognising the security guard's instruction was not consistent with the current public health orders.
"We are aware of an incident which took place over the weekend involving an employee of our security contractor," a spokesperson said.
"The contractor has since been removed from site and will not be returning to Imperial Gosford. We wish to extend our sincere apologies to the woman involved.
"Our staff and contractors are expected to observe the NSW heat guidelines, while ensuring that customers feel safe and welcome in our centre
"We apologise that this was not reflected during her visit."
Sydney's current restrictions
Outdoor public gatherings limited to two people (excluding members of the same household)
People must exercise within 10km of their home
No carpooling with members of other households
Browsing at shops is prohibited, and only one person per household per day may leave the home for shopping
Four reasons to leave home under lockdown
Shopping for food or other essential goods and services (one person per household per day)
Medical care or compassionate needs (only one visitor can enter another residence in circumstances of compassionate needs)
Exercise with no more than one other person (unless members of the same household)
Essential work or education where you cannot work or study from home.
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