COVID-19, Batemans Bay: Coronavirus outbreak hits businesses hard
The COVID-19 outbreak on the South Coast has forced business owners to shut up shop and aged care centres to take extra measures to limit transmission of the virus.
The South Coast News
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South Coast businesses are shutting up shop in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus in the community and preempt social distancing restrictions.
Responding to the recent outbreak in Batemans Bay and the recent influx of travellers over the school holidays, retailers from Nowra to Mogo are voluntarily closing their businesses for fear of spreading the virus and calling on fellow businesses to do the same and for their customers to self isolate.
The Mogo Lolly Shop owner Theresa Matthews, who only reopened her business in late February after she lost all her Christmas stock due during the summer’s bushfires, says she was temporarily close her doors after thousands of people visited the village over the school holidays.
“We alongside many other businesses have decided that it is in the best interests of ourselves and staff, and our customers to self isolate,” she said. “We thank everyone who visited the South Coast to show their support.”
Ms Matthews, who has only had about 12 weeks of income for the year, said the business went to great lengths to keep surfaces sanitised and followed limits on customers, but the risk of infection was an important reason to stop trading for the time being.
“Parcels that are currently awaiting mailing will leave us later this week. No more parcels will be packaged until we know that we are clear to do so,” she said.
Speaking to the South Coast News, Ms Matthews said she would wait until any potential spike in cases related to the cluster begins to drop before reopening.
“The reason why I posted that (a message on Facebook) is I want our customers to tell us (if they have tested positive to COVID-19,” she said.
“If our customers tell us they’ve been in contact (or test positive), then we can go and be tested.”
Kidz Biz Playhouse & Cafe in Batemans Bay has also closed its doors purely for precautionary measures with no cases linked to the long-running childrens’ playground business.
The owners have advised customers they will complete a special clean on Tuesday, but will not reopen until staff are tested and cleared.
“Due to the current COVID scare in our area we have decided to do a special clean tomorrow just as a precautionary measure. We apologise for any inconvenience but better to be safe than sorry at this time,” Kidz Biz advised customers.
Batemans Bay Ice Creamery also announced to its followers that it will close until later in the week.
“We value the safety of our staff and customer and for that reason we will be closed until Friday the 24th to allow for all our staff to take precautions and get tested for COVID-19,” it announced in a social media post.
“We look forward to reopening and staying safe and strong during these trying times.
“Our thoughts go out to everyone here in our great little community.”
Mariners on the Waterfront, also in Batemans Bay, advised patrons it will close its bar and bistro until further notice.
“We have taken the opportunity to make sure our staff and patrons are safe over the coming days and want to make sure all staff are cleared and once this has happened we will commence trading again,” a spokesperson said in a statement of social media.
“The health and safety of the public is very important and we would like to be proactive towards this situation. Please stay safe and follow the guidance of NSW Health.”
The South Coast cluster is linked to Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, after a father and son from Sydney visited on Monday, July 13.
They left and have since returned a positive test.
Since then, six people including a staff member of the club have tested positive for the virus.
The club will also be closed for two weeks pending a NSW Health order.
In a statement on social media, the club has advised patrons of its closure, in-line with NSW Health recommendations that anyone who attended the club on July 13, July 15, July 16 and July 17 to self-isolate for two weeks.
“Should you show any signs of COVID-19 you should get tested,” the statement said.
“This information can be found on the NSW Health website and we ask that you direct any further inquiries to NSW Health. Take care everyone!”
IRT Group, which runs aged care centres in Milton and Batemans Bay, has opted to limit visitors due to the threat of community transmission.
“Due to a growing number of COVID-19 cases in NSW and the risk of community transmission into the ACT, we have made the difficult decision to limit visits at all our NSW and ACT aged care centres to compassionate visits only (such as for residents receiving end-of-life care),” an IRT Group spokesperson said in a statement.
“The growing rate of community transmission poses a serious risk to the health and safety of our residents and employees and we thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we continue to face this challenge together.”