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Sydney pub closed after second coronavirus case confirmed

A hotel in Sydney’s southwest has been forced to close after two patrons returned positive coronavirus tests.

A 30-year-old woman from Liverpool, who tested positive earlier in the week, had visited the Crossroads Hotel in Casula on Saturday night.

On Friday, a 50-year-old man was also confirmed to have the virus. He had attended the pub on the same evening, though the two patrons visited independently.

The new test is one of 14 new cases in New South Wales today, bringing the state’s total to 3278.

After confirming the link, NSW Health ordered the Crossroads Hotel to shut its doors.

A Google Maps photo of the Crossroads Hotel in Casula, where two patrons have returned positive coronavirus tests.
The Crossroads Hotel in Casula has been directed to close immediately after two patrons returned positive coronavirus tests. Source: Google Maps

“NSW Health has been in contact this afternoon with the management of that particular hotel, the Crossroads at Casula, and has asked them, in fact directed them, to close and provide all necessary details,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said in a press conference on Friday.

"You would recall that the government has made very clear rules for pubs and clubs and cafes to keep the list of names for people who visit.

"So if the hotel has complied in the way we'll have hope we would have access to those names."

NSW Health will set up a testing facility in the car park of the hotel and is encouraging anyone who attended the venue to be tested.

Other testing stations are also at Liverpool and Campbelltown hospitals.

Mr Hazzard also spoke of another ‘troubling’ case where a traveller from Victoria has returned a positive COVID test while staying at a caravan park in the Sutherland Shire.

“We are doing investigations at the moment, contacts et cetera, and that will continue,” Mr Hazzard said.

The man, in his 20s, came forward for testing in a move praised by the health minister.

NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard stands at a podium to speak to the media during a press conference.
NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney last week. Source: AAP

“I thank him for coming forward. That is excellent that he came forward, and I encourage others in a similar situation that may have come from Victoria or Melbourne.

“We want you to get tested, and it is crucial you do, because otherwise you will be the instrument of seeding or one of the possible instruments of seeding here in New South Wales.”

Victoria announced a record daily total for coronavirus infections on Friday, with its 288 new cases the highest daily count for any state since the pandemic began.

It is the third time this week the state has recorded its highest daily total, with Friday’s numbers eclipsing its previous 191-case high from Tuesday.

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