Premier Gladys Berejiklian says NSW is at a 'crossroads' after Sydney pub coronavirus cluster grows

The Crossroads Hotel is the focus of a coronavirus cluster now involving six cases, including an 18-year-old staff member of the pub.

NSW Health workers and security dressed in Personal Protective Equipment are seen at the Crossroads Hotel testing centre in Sydney.

NSW Health workers and security dressed in Personal Protective Equipment are seen at the Crossroads Hotel testing centre in Sydney. Source: AAP

Every person who visited a Sydney pub centre over an eight-day period has been told to self-isolate after a staffer tested positive to coronavirus.

The 18-year-old staffer was confirmed as the sixth case in The Crossroads Hotel cluster, leading to the NSW chief health officer to significantly expand the self-isolation advice to all people who visited between July 3 and 10.
NSW Health workers dressed in Personal Protective Equipment administer COVID-19 tests to people in their cars at the Crossroads Hotel testing centre in Sydney.
NSW Health workers dressed in Personal Protective Equipment administer COVID-19 tests to people in their cars at the Crossroads Hotel testing centre in Sydney. Source: AAP
The focus was previously only the 600-odd people who visited the Casula pub on July 3.

"We do not think the staff member was the source," Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Sunday.

"He worked for a number of days, he did work on the 3rd (and) on subsequent days."

Some 1200 people have been tested at the pop-up clinic at the pub since Friday.

All patrons must self-isolate until 14 days after their last visit to the Crossroads, regardless of any test result.
"Even if you get a negative test, that does not mean you are out of the woods," Dr Chant said.

"A negative result does not mean you can breach self-isolation."

The staffer's positive result was returned late on Saturday, meaning he's not yet included on NSW's official total of 3289.

Five new cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, including three household contacts of a Crossroads patron.

One case was removed after expert analysis.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state had the opportunity to clamp down on community transmission or go the way of Victoria.

"We are definitely at a crossroads in NSW," she told reporters.

"If you wake up with a scratchy throat, don't go to work. Get tested."
Ms Berejiklian also announced on Sunday NSW would begin charging international arrivals for their mandatory 14-day stay in hotel quarantine.

From Saturday, for all arrivals on tickets bought from midnight Monday, the first adult in each travelling party will be charged $3000.

Subsequent adults will be billed $1000, each child $500 while kids under three will continue to be free.

Exemptions will be permitted in some circumstances.

Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. People are also advised to wear masks in public.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

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3 min read
Published 12 July 2020 12:06pm
Updated 12 July 2020 12:42pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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