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COVID-19: Batemans Bay Soldiers Club undergoes ‘deep clean’ as staff begin self-isolation stint

The South Coast RSL club at the centre of a COVID-19 cluster has reassured patrons it will be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom while staff self-isolate.

Batemans Bay Soldiers Club has been closed for cleaning. Picture: supplied
Batemans Bay Soldiers Club has been closed for cleaning. Picture: supplied

The South Coast RSL club at the centre of cluster of eight confirmed COVID-19 cases will shut its doors to allow staff to self-isolate and for the club to be ‘deep cleaned’.

The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club has announced it has undertaken a clean of the venue and will be closed two weeks so staff can be tested and complete their 14-day self-isolation period.

In a statement posted to social media on Monday evening, the club says its top priority “has, and always will be” the health and safety of staff, visitors and the wider community.”

“We have provided the full list of staff and patrons who were at the club on those days to NSW Health to assist with contact tracing,” the club said in a statement.

“The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club has been operating under a strict CovidSAFE plan, including mandatory sign-in for all patrons and intensive cleaning practices. Right from the beginning, our top priority was, and is, the health and safety of our staff, members, visitors and guests and the entire community at large.

“Dedicated CovidSAFE Ambassadors enforce social distancing and staff are required to fill out a health questionnaire at the start of each shift.”

Batemans Bay Soldiers Club announce closure pending NSW Health order.
Batemans Bay Soldiers Club announce closure pending NSW Health order.

The club reiterated NSW Health statements, advising anyone who attended the venue last week to self-isolate and begin testing.

“Anyone who attended our Club on Monday 13th, Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th or Friday 17th July should immediately self isolate,” a club spokesperson said in a statement.

“Should you show any signs of COVID-19 you should get tested.

“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!”

The move comes as many South Coast businesses voluntarily shut their doors to help stop transmission throughout the community.

A spokesperson for Southern NSW Local Health District confirmed six reported cases had been confirmed in connection with the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.

“In addition to the two people who were infectious with COVID-19 and were dining at the Bistro a further six people associated with the Club have been diagnosed as positive with COVID-19,” the spokesperson said.

Southern NSW Health workers at the Hanging Rock testing clinic, Batemans Bay. Pictures: Southern NSW Local Health District/Facebook.
Southern NSW Health workers at the Hanging Rock testing clinic, Batemans Bay. Pictures: Southern NSW Local Health District/Facebook.

Four of the COVID-19 cases are all members of the same family who dined at the club. The Sydney father and son visited the club on July 13 and have since returned to Sydney.

The other cases are, a staff member from the club, two cases who dined at the club and one case who is a close contact of the previously reported cases. Just one of the eight confirmed cases is a local resident.

The Hanging Rock clinic in Batemans Bay will be open for free testing from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/thesouthcoastnews/covid19-batemans-bay-soldiers-club-undergoes-deep-clean-as-staff-begin-selfisolation-stint/news-story/d879c119a4cf53e02887e8335f723100