Celebrities who attended AACTA Awards on alert after Sydney Opera House worker tests positive for Covid-19

A Sydney Opera House worker at a glitzy awards event attended by big name Aussie stars, has tested positive for Covid-19.

A food and beverage operator has been diagnosed with Covid-19 after working at the Sydney Opera House during the AACTA Awards, putting many high-profile celebrities on alert.

The event was attended by stars including Baz Luhrmann, Taika Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Sarah Snook and Rachel Griffiths.

The employee was working at the venue during the event on Wednesday and also on Thursday.

Rebel Wilson was among the celebrities at the AACTA Awards. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for AFI

Sarah Snook also attended the AACTA Awards. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for AFI

“The Sydney Opera House has been advised that an employee of a food and beverage operator ... has tested positive for Covid-19,” a spokesperson said on Saturday.

“A thorough cleaning of affected areas has been carried out and we are taking all necessary steps as required by NSW Health.

“The Opera House currently has a number of measures in place, in line with our Covid safety plan, and our commitment to the health and safety of everyone on our site.”

Anyone who attended the site on the relevant dates is not required to take any action unless advised by NSW Health via the Service NSW check-in notifications.

Baz Luhrmann and Taika Waititi presented at the AACTA Awards. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for AFI

A South Eastern Sydney Local Health District spokesperson also confirmed the employee worked at the Sydney Opera House while infectious.

NSW Health has identified the venue as “low risk” and authorities are investigating.

“People who attended the venue during the times that the employee was there are not considered close or casual contacts, but must monitor for symptoms,” the spokesperson said.

“The staff member has been tested and is in isolation until they receive a negative result.

“The variant has not been determined to be Omicron.”

#BREAKING: The #AACTA red carpet has been listed as a covid-19 exposure site @SBSNewspic.twitter.com/yr5p8evHYF

— Naveen Razik (@naveenjrazik) December 10, 2021

NSW recorded 560 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday, with three confirmed to be the Omicron variant and more expected as the results of genomic testing come through.

There were also three deaths overnight, including a man aged in his 80s from south western Sydney who died at Liverpool Hospital after acquiring the infection at the Gillawarna Village Aged Care facility.

He had received three doses of the vaccine and had underlying health conditions.

A double-vaccinated man in his 80s from eastern Sydney also had underlying health conditions and died at St Vincent’s Hospital.

The third death was a vaccinated woman in her 70s from the Riverina region, who also had an underlying health condition and died at Albury Base Hospital.