Mask up: COVID-19 restrictions reinstated as Eastern Suburbs couple test positive

By ALLISON HORE

A number of COVID-19 restrictions have been reinstated across the Greater Sydney area following a man in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs testing positive for the virus. 

From 5pm tonight until Monday, masks will be compulsory at indoor venues across the city as well as in supermarkets and on public transport. Singing and dancing at indoor venues or places of worship will also be prohibited, and drinking at bars will be restricted to seated patrons only. 

In addition, no more than 20 guests, including children, will be allowed in a home and aged care facilities will be limited to visitors to two at a time. 

These restrictions come following two new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the community. On Wednesday, an Eastern suburbs man in his 50s who had not returned from overseas and did not work in a hotel quarantine facility tested positive for the coronavirus. Overnight, his wife also tested positive for the virus.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the three-day restrictions would help reduce the risk of a super spreader event over the weekend.

“These measures are proportionate to the risk and will help reduce further cases of community transmission,” she said.

NSW Health is still investigating where the man contracted the virus. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the viral sequence of the new case matched that of an overseas case from the USA who had completed hotel quarantine.   

“What we’re concerned about is that there is a missing link, there is no direct contact we’ve been able to establish yet,” she explained.

Premier Berejikilian said it is likely Sydney will see more cases confirmed over the coming days. Although he tested positive on Wednesday, NSW Health believes the man has been infectious since last Friday. 

Visitors to a number of venues across the greater Sydney area, which were visited by the man, are being urged to self isolate and get tested whether or not they show symptoms of the virus.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is among those people self-isolating after he dined at the District Brasserie in the Chifley complex in Sydney’s CBD at the same time as the man.

Trace amounts of COVID-19 have also been detected in sewerage in Sydney’s Inner West. The virus fragments were found in the Marrickville sewerage works which is the catchment for Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, Summer Hill, Lewisham, Ashfield, Haberfield, Petersham, Lilyfield and Leichhardt.

People in these suburbs should get tested and self isolate immediately if feeling unwell.

“We’ve been here before and you know what to do – keep a safe social distance, wear a mask, monitor your symptoms and if you feel sick get tested,” said member for Balmain, Jamie Parker.

“Together we can do this.”

People who visited the following venues should self isolate and get tested immediately:

• Barbecues Galore, Annadale (Saturday, May 1st, 2pm to 3pm)
• Bondi Trattoria, Bondi Beach (Thursday, April 29th, 12:45pm to 1:30pm)
• Screening of The Courier at Event Cinemas, Bondi Junction (Friday, April 30th, 6pm to 8pm)
• The Meat Store, Bondi Junction (Sunday, May 2nd, 3pm to 4pm)
• BP Runway, Mascot (Saturday, May 1st, 4:30pm to 5pm)
• Azure Cafe, Moore Park (Monday, May 3rd, 12:30pm to 1pm)
• The Stadium Club, Moore Park (Monday, May 3rd, 11:30am to 12:30pm)
• Barbetta, Paddington (Friday, April 30th, 1:30pm to 2:30pm)
• The Royal Sydney Golf Club, Rose Bay (Monday, May 3rd, 5:30pm to 9pm)
• District Brasserie, Sydney (Friday, April 30th, 11:00am to 12:00pm)
• Fratelli Fresh, Sydney (Tuesday, April 27th, 1:15pm to 2:15pm)
• HineSight Optometrist; Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sydney (Friday, April 30th, 12pm to 1pm)