Hundreds to isolate after virus scare at two northern beaches gyms

Hundreds of northern beaches residents have been told to self isolate after two gyms in the area had a positive coronavirus case.

Hundreds of people on Sydney’s northern beaches have been told to undergo COVID-19 testing and self-isolate after a positive case visited an Avalon gym.

NSW Health on Saturday issued a health alert after the person visited Anytime Fitness at Avalon over several days last week.

Anyone who visited the Avalon Parade gym on December 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 has been asked get tested and isolate immediately.

The gym has closed for cleaning until further notice.

It was one two gyms NSW Health named as venues of concern because of the northern beaches region outbreak after Fitness First, Mona Vale was added to the list on Saturday.

Anyone who visited the Fitness First centre on December 13, 14 and 16 has been asked to get tested immediately and isolate.

Other new venues of concern are 4 Pines, Newport (December 15), Sunset Diner, Avalon Beach (December 11) and Café Relish, Avalon Beach (December 17).

NSW Health said that due to the large length of the exposure, there were hundreds of people who were potential contacts.

“Can I acknowledge the great cooperation of that gym owner in providing data last night for us,” NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

“We will be contacting people that went to that gym.”

Northern beaches residents flock to testing centres. Picture: Monique Harmer

It comes as restaurants and bars on Sydney’s coronavirus-gripped northern beaches have begun voluntarily closing their doors as authorities attempt to stem a rapidly growing outbreak in the area.

Less than a week out from Christmas, restrictions have put in place for the northern beaches after the Avalon cluster on Saturday ballooned by 23 to a total of 38 total cases.

NSW Health has issued alerts for venues right across Sydney and Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned that unless the rise in new cases can be stemmed, further restrictions could be implemented for all of greater Sydney.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard, whose Wakehurst electorate takes in part of the northern beaches, took to social media to thank local businesses for closing to help stop the outbreak, noting pubs had elected to shut their doors voluntarily.

Mr Hazzard went on to say that some cafes and restaurants had also made the tough decision to close their doors.

“The Hotel Association has voluntarily asked its hotels on the northern beaches to close for the next few days and they’ve done that voluntarily,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It’s wonderful to see them come forward and make that offer to us in a bid to get this virus under control because we know if we work hard in the next few days, we have a better chance of making sure we don’t limit activity moving forward.”

14 of 17 pubs on Northern Beaches are closed or will close 4 the weekend VOLUNTARILY. Most churches/ houses of Worship have advised ⁦@NSWHealth⁩ they will close this weekend. Thank u 2 Northern Beaches community 4 response to the Avalon Cluster outbreak! Amazing pic.twitter.com/Zpj7p6eBPm

— Brad Hazzard (@BradHazzard) December 18, 2020

I am now hearing some cafes, restaurants as well as some clubs have closed to assist @NSWHealth and Dr Chant’s Public Health team get on top of the COVID-19 outbreak . This on top of churches and pubs closing. I am just so grateful.

— Brad Hazzard (@BradHazzard) December 18, 2020

The Merivale Group, which operates an empire of over 60 venues across Sydney, said it was closing its northern beaches venues The Newport, Bert’s, The Collaroy and Queen Chow Manly.

All of NSW is on high alert following the swell in new cases, with residents from all of Sydney told to get tested if they display even minor symptoms.

A total of 21 Sydney beaches have been closed on the city’s northern beaches, with residents from the region advised to stay indoors.

Further alerts were issued on Saturday and include several bus routes. Anyone on the routes below are considered close contacts and must isolate and get tested:

Route B1-1, December 14, Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd 6.55am, arriving Wynyard Station, York Street Stand M, 7.50am

Route B1-2, December 14, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 5.45pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.40pm

Route B1-1, December 15, Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd 6.35am, arriving Wynyard Station Stand M, 7.35am

Route B1-2, December 15, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 5.25pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 6.20pm

Route B1-1, December 16, Departing Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, arriving Wynyard Station Stand M, 7.35am

Route B1-2, December 16, Departing Wynyard Station Stand B 4.45pm, arriving Warriewood BLine, Pittwater Rd, 5.30pm

Anyone who attended Nick Scali at the SuperCentre in Belrose on December 16 between 10am and 5:30pm is considered a casual contact and must monitor symptoms, get tested and isolate until they get their result.

Shelves stripped bare at Mona Vale Woolworths Mona Vale. Picture: Monique Harmer.

COVID alerts have been issued for venues in Darling Point, Rosebery, Penrith, Cronulla, Kirribilli, Lane Cove, Turramurra and Woolloomooloo, amid a fear it could spread to other areas.

Health officials on the Central Coast have confirmed a local resident has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and they are self-isolating at their home.

The case has been linked to the northern beaches cluster.

They travelled on a ferry from Palm Beach to Wagstaffe on Wednesday evening and all other people on the 6.15pm ferry have been advised to undergo testing and self-isolate until a negative result is received.

Its has thrown Christmas travel plans into disarray for thousands after several states imposed fresh travel restrictions.

Northern beaches residents are banned from entering Victoria, while anyone from the region must undergo 14 days of self-isolation after entering Queensland.

Anyone arriving in Western Australia from NSW needs to self-isolate for 14 days.

Tasmania declared Sydney’s Northern Beaches local government area high risk .

Anyone who travels from there to the Northern Territory will have to stay for 14 days in a supervised quarantine facility in Alice Springs or Darwin.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISITED THESE VENUES ARE CONSIDERED CLOSE CONTACTS

They are advised to immediately self-isolate and get tested.

- Avalon Beach RSL Club, 1 Bowling Green Lane, all day until closing on Friday 11 December

- Avalon Bowlo, 4 Bowling Green Lane, 5pm to 7pm on Sunday 13 December, 3pm-5pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Bangkok Sidewalk Restaurant, 1/21-23 Old Barrenjoey Road, 7pm to 8pm on Monday 14 December

- Barramee Thai Massage and Spa, 4/42-44 Old Barrenjoey Road, 2pm to 3:30pm on Monday 14 December

- Sneaky Grind Café, 3/48 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach, 9:30am to 11am on Monday 14 December

- Cronulla RSL Club 38R Gerrale Street, Cronulla, 5pm to closing on Wednesday 16 December

- Pilgrims Vegetarian Café, 97 Gerrale St, Cronulla, 11:30am to 2:30pm on Wednesday 16 December

- Kirribilli Club, 11 Harbourview Crescent, Lavender Bay, 12pm to 3pm on Monday 14 December

- Hair by Erika The Village, Shopping Centre, Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove, 3:30pm to 5pm on Friday 11 December

- Rusti Fig 3/363 Barrenjoey Road, Newport, 9am to 10am on Saturday 12 December

- Coast Palm Beach Café, Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, 10am to 11am on Sunday 13 December

- Palm Beach female change rooms, 31/32 Ocean Road, Palm Beach, 9am to 9:15am on Sunday 13 December

- Penrith RSL Club 8 Tindale Street, Penrith, NSW 2750, 1pm to 6pm on Sunday 13 December

- Sienna Marina 6/7-41 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo, 12pm to 2pm on Friday 11 December

- The Salon for Hair 3/1335 Pacific Highway, Turramurra, 10am to 3pm on Tuesday 15

December, 9:30am to 3:30pm on Wednesday 16 December

- Sunset Diner, 41 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach: Friday 11 December, 6.30pm – 8pm

- Fitness First Mona Vale, Pittwater Place Shopping Centre, 10 Park Street Mona Vale: Sunday 13 December, 2pm- 4pm and Monday 14 December, 10.30am – 12.30am and Wednesday 16 December, 8.30pm – 10pm

- 4 Pines, Newport, 313 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport: Tuesday 15 December, 6pm – 10pm

PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISITED THESE VENUES ARE CONSIDERED CASUAL CONTACTS

They are advised to get tested and await test results.

- Roof Racks World 13/87 Reserve Road, Artarmon, 2pm to 2:30pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Avalon Beach Post Shop, 45 Avalon Parade, Avalon, 3:30pm to 3:50pm on Wednesday 16 December

- Careel Bay Dog Park & Hitchcock Park, 20 Avalon Parade, Avalon, 7am to 7:30am on Wednesday 16 December

- Chemist Warehouse, 4/74 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, 5:20pm to 5:25pm on Monday 14 December

- Commonwealth Bank, 47 Avalon Parade, Avalon, 12pm to 12:15pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Hungry Ghost Café, 20 Avalon Parade, Avalon, 9:30am to 11am on Sunday 13 December

9:30am to 11am on Tuesday 15 December

- North Avalon Cellars 4/3 N Avalon Road, Avalon Beach, 6pm to 6:05pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Oliver’s Pies Careel Shopping Village, 1 Careel Head Road,

Avalon Beach, 3:30pm to 3:50pm on Wednesday 16 December

- Mitre 10 49 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 12pm to 12.20pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Nourished Cafe and Lounge, 17 Avalon Parade, 7.30am to 7.40am on Saturday 12 December

- Sabiang Thai Restaurant, 4/49 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, 6pm to 8pm on Sunday 13 December

- Surf Life Saving Club, 558A Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, 9am to 9:30am on Sunday 13 December, Monday 14 December and Tuesday 15 December

- Woolworths, 74 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, 12pm to 5pm on Sunday 13 December, 5pm to 5:30pm on Monday 14 December, 12pm to 12:30pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Westfield Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi, 1pm to 2.30pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Cronulla Mall, 8pm to 9pm on Tuesday 15 December, 11am to 12pm on Wednesday 16 December

- Paris Seafood Café, 136 Cronulla Street, Cronulla, 8.30pm to 9pm on Tuesday 15 December

- RAN Sailing Association, Navy Bear Café and Christmas party, Sir David Martin Reserve, 1C New Beach Road, Darling Point, 10am to 4pm on Sunday 13 December

- Dee Why Fruit Market, Shop 4/27-33 Oaks Avenue, Dee Why, 4:45pm to 4:55pm on Tuesday 15 December

- HongFa BBQ Restaurant, 2/21 Oaks Avenue, Dee Why, 4:30pm to 4:45pm on Tuesday 15 December

- Seven West Media, 6-8 Central Avenue, Eveleigh, 8am to 11.30am on Monday 14 December

- Aldi Mona Vale, 13 Bungan Street, Mona Vale, 12:45pm to 1:30pm on Sunday 13 December

- Bing Lee, Gateway 1 Mona Vale Road, Mona, 4:30pm to 4:45pm on Monday 14 December

- Harris Farm Markets Mona Vale, Pittwater Place Centre, 35/10 Park Street, Mona Vale, 11am to 11.10am on Monday 14 December

- Woolworths Mona Vale, 25/29 Park Street, Mona Vale, 12pm to 12:30pm on Sunday 13 December

- Coles 381 Barrenjoey Road, Newport, 5pm to 7pm on Friday 11 December, 3.15pm to

3.30pm on Saturday 12 December

- Restaurant Lovat, G04/316-324 Barrenjoey Road, Newport, 2.15pm to 2.25pm and

4.10pm to 4.15pm on Saturday 12 December

- Brot and Wurst, 1442 Pittwater Road, North Narrabeen, 2pm to 2:05pm on Wednesday 16 December

- Palm Beach Rockpool, Lot 1 Rock Bath Road, Palm Beach, 9:30am to 10:30am on

Monday 14 December

- Palm Beach Pool, Lot 1 Rock Bath Road, Palm Beach, 8am to 9am on Wednesday 16 December

- Forest Rangers FC, Little Rangers session at Gannons Park, Pindari Road and Isaac

Street, Peakhurst, 4:30pm to 5:30pm on Friday 11 December

- Blend @ Grantham Café, 43 Grantham Street, Riverstone, 11am to 11:45am on

Wednesday 16 December

- Mentmore and Morley Café and public toilets, 13/55 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery, 10am to 3pm on Monday 14 December

- Forestway Fresh 2 Myoora Rd, Terrey Hills, 4pm to 4.10pm on Wednesday 16 December

- Hills The Flower Market, 287 Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills, 8am to 8.45am on Saturday 12 December

- Café Relish, 8/1 N Avalon Rd, Avalon Beach: Thursday 17 December, 10.30am – 11.30am

PEOPLE WHO USED THESE PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTES ARE CONSIDERED CASUAL CONTACTS

They are advised to get tested and await test results.

- Ferry from Palm Beach to Wagstaffe, 16 December, 6.15pm-6.35pm

- Forest Coach Lines buses between Forestville and the CBD

- Route 273, 15 December, Departing Jamieson Square, Forestville, 7.10am and arriving QVB, 8am

- Route 271, 15 December, Departing QVB 5.25pm and arriving Austlink Business Park Belrose 6.28pm

- Route 273, 16 December, Departing Jamieson Square, Forestville 7.10am and arriving QVB, CBD, 8am

- Route 271, 16 December, Departing QVB 5.25pm and arriving Austlink Business Park Belrose, 6.28pm

- Train, 14 December, Roseville to Redfern, Departing Roseville at 6.50am and arriving Redfern 7.40am

- Train, 14 December, Redfern to Milsons Point, Departing Redfern at 11.20am and arriving Milsons Point 11.45am

- Train, 14 December, Milsons Point to Roseville, Departing Milsons Point at 3.15pm and arriving Roseville 3.40pm