Hundreds of thousands of residents on Sydney’s Northern Beaches have been ordered to stay home from 5pm today as the area records a surge in COVID-19 case numbers.
NSW Health said 23 locally acquired cases had been confirmed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and an additional seven cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine – with 38 cases now connected to the Avalon cluster.
“From 5pm today, public health orders will enforce the stay at home advisory previously issued,” NSW Health said in a statement.
“This will require the closing of hospitality venues and function centres in the Northern Beaches LGA, until 11.59pm on Wednesday (subject to health advice), with the exception of takeaways.”
Gyms and places of worship will also close.
All residents of the Northern Beaches LGA will be required to stay at home, unless permitted to leave for certain reasons, such as essential shopping, exercise and medical care. NSW Health said anyone outside of the area was not permitted to enter the Northern Beaches LGA unless these reasons applied.
NSW Health has also called on several hundred people who attended Avalon gym Anytime Fitness to take urgent action, get tested and isolate immediately until further advice is provided by NSW Health.
“A known case of COVID-19 attended Anytime Fitness on Avalon Parade in Avalon over several days while infectious. A number of people who attended this gym will be identified as close contacts and will be required to isolate for 14 days,” the health authority said.
Of the new cases to 8pm last night:
- 21 cases are locally acquired and linked to a known case or cluster (Avalon)
- Two cases are local acquired with their source under investigation
- Seven were acquired overseas and are in hotel quarantine
Of the 38 cases in the Avalon cluster, 15 cases are linked to the Avalon RSL, 23 cases are linked to the Avalon Bowling Club, and several cases attended both venues.
“The remaining two new locally acquired cases reported in today’s numbers are of Northern Beaches residents whose infection source and potential links to other cases remain under investigation.”
NSW Health announced yesterday a NSW resident whose COVID-19 infection was diagnosed in Queensland was excluded from the NSW count. Following conversations with Queensland, this case will be counted as a NSW case, and is now included in today’s numbers.
Further venues of concern have been identified in relation to these cases. Anyone who travelled on the following bus routes is considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result:
- Route B1-1, 14 December, Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd 6.55am, arriving Wynyard Station, York Street Stand M, 7.50am
- Route B1-2, 14 December 2020, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 5.45pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.40pm
- Route B1-1, 15 December 2020, Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd 6.35am, arriving Wynyard Station Stand M, 7.35am
- Route B1-2, 15 December 2020, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 5.25pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.20pm
- Route B1-1, 16 December 2020, Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd 6:50am, arriving Wynyard Station Stand M, 7.35am
- Route B1-2, 16 December 2020, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 4.45pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 5.30pm
Anyone who attended the following venue at the below times, is considered a casual contact and should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result:
- Nick Scali at SuperCentre, 4/6 Niangala Cl, Belrose, 16 December, 10am -5.30pm
A known case of COVID-19 attended Anytime Fitness on Avalon Parade in Avalon over several days while infectious. A number of people who attended this gym will be identified as close contacts and will be required to isolate for 14 days.
These days were:
- Saturday 12 December
- Friday 11 December
- Tuesday 8 December
- Monday 7 December
- Sunday 6 December
NSW Health has updated advice for people who have visited the following shopping malls. People are considered casual contacts, and should monitor for symptoms, and isolate and get tested if symptoms develop:
- Cronulla Mall, 15 December, 8-9pm and 16 December 11am-12pm
- Westfield Bondi Junction, 15 December, 1-2.30pm
All residents in the Northern Beaches LGA have been asked to wear a mask when indoors until at least Monday, except in their own homes.
“To assist with contact tracing and reducing the spread of the virus, Northern Beaches residents have been asked to stay home as much as possible over the weekend,” NSW Health said.
“This includes working from home where possible, not visiting friends or family in aged care facilities or hospitals unless essential, avoiding unnecessary gatherings and high-risk venues such as clubs, restaurants, places or worships and gyms, and avoiding unnecessary travel outside of or to the Northern Beaches area.
“Businesses are urged to ensure full compliance with their COVID-Safe plans, including ensuring appropriate electronic recording of patrons’ contact details.”
NSW Health said while it had already seen an excellent response from the Northern Beaches community for testing, it was “absolutely vital” everyone who comes forward for testing isolates immediately if they have even the slightest of symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, fever, sore throat or runny nose.
To increase testing options for the Northern Beaches community, new pop-up clinics have been opened this week. To find your nearest clinic visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.
