Festive plans in pieces as COVID cluster grows beyond Northern beaches

Sydney’s growing coronavirus cluster threatens to spread beyond its coastal north and NSW Health authorities are poised to announce another spike in cases on Saturday morning.

Christmas travel plans have suddenly been thrown out the window as States and territories have already rushed out new restrictions in response to the outbreak.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke on Friday about the outbreak, urging Australians to remain calm and follow local advice, while state and territory leaders have introduced new levels of restrictions for people who have recently been to the area.

NSW Health has issued an "urgent call to all residents of NSW" to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, as a result of the increasing number of cases associated with Sydney's northern beaches cluster and "concerns over wider transmission".  

“Anyone in the state with even the mildest symptoms such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, is asked to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until a negative result is received,” a media release from the department said.

“The source of these infections remains under investigation, though genome sequencing points to the strain being of US origin.”

The department released a list of new venues across the city that confirmed cases of COVID-19 have visited – with Westfield Bondi Junction and places in Woolloomooloo and Eveleigh among those issued with public health alerts. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier warned the state to “brace themselves” and expect more cases.

“The number of people who were at the (Avalon) RSL event on December 11 and then the (Avalon) bowling club on Sunday were substantial and obviously they have got household contacts and contacts of theirs,” she said.

With 28 cases now linked to the northern beaches cluster and more than 270,000 people in the region asked to stay at home, the entire country is watching and waiting to see how this will affect Christmas travel and summer holiday plans.

States and territories have already rushed out new restrictions in response to the outbreak — some incoming passengers found out about new quarantine rules while they were flying over.

NSW Health has added to its list of venues that have been affected by the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.

Anyone that has visited the following venues are considered close and casual contacts:

• Sienna Marina, 7-41 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo - 11 December, 12-2pm.
  Anyone who spent one hour or longer at the restaurant at this time must get tested and isolate until December 25. Other patrons should monitor for symptoms, and isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms appear.
• Pilgrims Vegetarian Café, 97 Gerrale St, Cronulla - 16 December 11.30am-2.30pm
  Anyone who was at the café during this time for one hour or more must be tested immediately and isolate until 30 December. Other patrons should monitor for symptoms, and get tested immediately if they appear.
• Cronulla RSL Club, 38 Gerrale St, Cronulla - 16 December, 5pm to closing time.

Anyone who was at the RSL at this time must get tested and isolate until further notice. Close contacts will need to isolate until 30 December.

NSW Health also released a long list of locations where COVID-19 cases have visited around Sydney, with the following directions.

Close and casual contacts:

• Sienna Marina, 7-41 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomoolo on December 11 between midday and 2pm: Anyone who spent one hour or longer at the restaurant must get tested and isolate until December 25. Other patrons should monitor for symptoms, and isolate and get tested immediately if they appear.
• Pilgrims Vegetarian Cafe, 97 Gerrale St, Cronulla on December 16 between 11:30am and 2:30pm: Anyone who was at the cafe during this time for one hour or more must be tested immediately and isolate until December 30. Other patrons should monitor for symptoms, and get tested immediately if they appear.
• Cronulla RSL Club, 38 Gerrale St, Cronulla on December 16 between 5pm and closing time. Anyone who was at the RSL at this time must get tested and isolate until further notice. Close contacts will need to isolate until December 30.

Anyone who attended the following locations is considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result:

• Hair by Erika, Village Shopping Centre Lane Cove on December 11 between 3:30 and 5pm.
• Rusti Fig Cafe, Newport on December 12 between 9 and 10am.
• Salon of Hair, Turramurra on December 15 between 10am and 3pm and on December 16 between 9:30am and 3:30pm.

Anyone who visited the following locations are casual contacts and should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result:

• Coles Newport on December 11 between 5 and 7pm and on December 12 between 3:15 and 3:30pm.
• Hills Florist, Terrey Hills on December 12 between 8 and 8:45am (close contacts have been contacted by NSW Health).
• Restaurant Lovat, Newport on December 12 between 2:15 and 2:25pm and 4:10 and 4:15pm.
• Nourished Wholefood Cafe, Avalon on December 12 between 7:30 and 7:40am.
• RAN Sailing Association Darling Point, Navy Bear Cafe and Christmas party on December 13 between 6 and 8pm.
• Sabiang Thai Restaurant, 4/49 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach on December 13 between 6 and 8pm.
• Seven West Media Building, 8 Central Ave, Eveleigh on December 14 on 8 and 11:30am.
• Mentmore and Morley Cafe and public toilets, 55 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery on December 14 between 10am and 3pm.
• Harris Farm, Mona Vale Plaza on December 14 between 11 and 11:10am.
• Paris Seafood Cafe, Cronulla on December 15 between 8:30 and 9pm.
• Cronulla Mall on December 15 between 8 and 9pm and on December 16 between 11 and 11:45am.
• Westfield Bondi Junction on December 15 between 1 and 2:30pm.
• Forest Way Fruit Market, 2 Myoora St, Terrey Hills on December 16 between 4 and 4:10pm.

Transport

Confirmed cases travelled on the following transport services (all passengers are considered to be casual contacts and should get tested and isolate until a negative result is received):

• Ferry from Palm Beach to Wagstaffe on December 16 between 6:15 and 6:35pm.
• Forest Coach Lines buses between Forestville and the CBD.
• Route 273 on December 15, departing Jamieson Square, Forestville at 7:10am and arriving at the QVB at 8am.
• Route 271 on December 15, departing QVB at 5:25pm and arriving Austlink Business Park Belrose at 6:28pm.
• Route 273 on December 16, departing Jamieson Square, Forestville at 7:10am and arriving at the QVB, CBD at 8am.
• Route 271 on December 16, departing the QVB at 5:25pm and arriving Austlink Business Park Belrose at 6:28pm.