Backpackers moved to CBD hotel after a Bondi backpackers closure
The biggest backpackers hostel in Bondi has closed due to mounting pressure from the public and unwanted media attention, with the more than 50 backpackers put up in a CBD hotel.
Wentworth Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wentworth Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Golden Sheaf sack tap lands gym owner in court
- Bondi Beach and Bellevue Hill top Eastern Suburbs virus hot spots
Noah’s Bondi Backpackers hostel in Bondi Beach has shut as a result of coronavirus, with its owner citing media attention and public stigma around backpackers as reasons for the closure.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller told Channel 7’s Sunrise this morning a Bondi backpackers was closed yesterday because it “couldn’t meet current health requirements”, referring to Noah’s.
But the owner of Noah’s, the biggest hostel in Bondi, who wanted to remain nameless, said Noah’s “did not shut because we didn’t meet requirements” but because they could no longer give backpackers a high level of customer service.
He said the backpackers were being turned away from cafes in Bondi and even his staff were receiving angry phone calls from the public about coronavirus.
“The local economy is boosted by international travellers and the public has turned their backs on them.”
“We could have stayed open … but took the initiative to close down because of media hype and the stigma against backpackers.”
He blamed youth, not the fact that they were backpackers, as the reason for the lack of social distancing among the group.
As of March 31, Bondi Beach had 91 confirmed cases of coronavirus and a pop-up testing clinic was opened on April 1 in Bondi Pavilion to curb the spread.
NSW Health have now put the backpackers from Noah’s up in a CBD hotel for at least two days and given them food vouches.
Late yesterday afternoon, six to eight people had been relocated from the hostel with another 50 or so guests still be to moved, according to Waverley Council.
A spokesperson for Waverley Council said the decision to close was made by the owner of Noah’s Backpackers hostel.
The hostel was not closed due to any public health risk.
The owner told council that he could no longer afford to keep the facility open.
Police were present at the backpackers to assist with the relocation, as well as a social worker.
A social worker was also available at the hotel to assist.
A spokesperson for Waverley Council said after the owner informed council they were going to close, they quickly sought NSW Health’s assistance in relocating the backpackers as “The Council did not want any backpackers to become displaced.”
“No guests had tested positive for COVID-19 and many had been tested,” the spokesperson continued.
Commissioner Fuller told Sunrise this morning the backpackers “were working with council and couldn’t meet the current health requirements.”
“We can’t have people in these types of environments, particularly if they only just arrived in the country in big groups.”
Waverley Council currently carrying out on-site inspections of backpackers and boarding
house-type facilities and reporting breaches to the appropriate authorities.
NSW Health is also working on a strategy for addressing concerns with backpacker
and boarding house-type facilities.