Coronavirus NSW: Gladys Berejiklian hints at mandatory mask rule if cases go back up

The NSW Premier has refused to rule out a Victoria-style mandatory mask rule if day-on-day virus cases don’t stay low.

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August 4, 2020 - 6:46AM

Everything you need to know about face masks

Gladys Berejiklian has refused to rule out a Victoria-style mandatory mask rule in NSW if day-on-day virus cases don’t stay low.

The NSW Premier thanked residents in her state who had followed the advice to wear masks in public, saying it was a good sign the state would avoid Victoria’s fate.

She suggested the state was open to harsher rules if it failed to exercise “caution” and if cases rose over the next few weeks.

"If we limit our activity, if we're extra cautious over the next few weeks, we won't go down the path that unfortunately Victoria has," she told Nine News on Wednesday night.

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NSW hints at mandatory mask rule

Gladys Berejiklian has refused to rule out a Victoria-style mandatory mask rule in NSW if daily virus cases don’t stay down.

The NSW residents thanked residents in her state who had followed the advice to wear masks in public, saying it was a good sign the state could avoid Victoria’s fate.

She suggested the state was open to harsher rules if it failed to exercise “caution” and if cases rose over the next few weeks.

"If we limit our activity, if we're extra cautious over the next few weeks, we won't go down the path that unfortunately Victoria has," she told Nine News on Wednesday night.

Ms Berejiklian also would not rule out mandatory hotel quarantine for domestic arrivals – especially those from Victoria.

"Please know it is a vigorous process, and in fact there have been examples where health staff have put people in quarantine," she said.

"If we need to do more, we will. "Our government, our officials, are working around the clock to not leave a single stone unturned."

Sydney childcare centre closes over virus case

A childcare centre has closed in Sydney's south-west after a boy tested positive to coronavirus.

Kids Learning Academy, a childcare centre in the suburb of Busby, was forced to go into deep cleaning on Tuesday after the boy's mother and her partner reportedly returned a positive test for COVID-19 on Friday.

The boy tested positive for the virus on Monday.

'No reason you can't do things in a safe way': NSW Premier

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would be comfortable eating out in a restaurant, provided it had a COVID-safe plan.

"I'm being extra careful," she told Nine News.

"There is a special celebration with a small number of people that I'm considering.

"I would feel safe as long as the place I was going had a good COVID-safe plan.

"Please, do your homework, book ahead. There's no reason you can't do everything in a safe way."

Ms Berejiklian said she too has felt “fear and anxiety” during the pandemic, saying she worried for her parents and the people of NSW.

COVIDSafe app's big win in NSW

While Victoria has stopped using the controversial COVIDSafe app, it has proven extremely useful in NSW.

"With regard to New South Wales and how they have been using COVIDSafe, the app is clearly having an important effect," deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said.

"I mean, not only did it identify some unknown contacts, 544 of them, in fact, it actually identified the entire exposure event at one particular club in New South Wales that would not otherwise have been identified."

The "exposure event" in question was the outbreak at Mounties club in Mount Pritchard, which currently has five confirmed cases of the virus.

'Stubborn' stat will drive NSW lockdown

A key minister driving NSW’s COVID-19 response has warned the biggest threat to the state is complacency.

Victor Dominello, one of the government's senior ministers leading NSW's COVID-19 response, flagged that “stubborn” case numbers could force further restrictions.

"Compliance can be escalated up or down depending on infection rates. If the rates are stubborn then we can turn up the dial further on compliance," he told Nine newspapers.

"Given what is at stake in terms of jobs, we need to exhaust compliance measures before we shackle the economy."

NSW recorded 13 new coronavirus cases on Monday, including three in hotel quarantine and one who returned from Victoria.

NSW Health releases guidance on making a mask

NSW Health has released its own guidance on making a face mask to protect you from coronavirus.

Masks don’t replace distancing or hygiene. If you’re making a cloth one, aim for 3 layers, with a water-repellent outside layer. Have a few for when you’re out. Put the used ones in a plastic bag & wash at home later

Learn how to make your own mask: : https://t.co/oT6HCNIfg7 pic.twitter.com/qNFEPc3mDe
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 3, 2020

The guidelines are below:

-A fluid-repellent layer on the outside layer of your mask gives the best protection.

-Three-layer masks are best. Two layers are the minimum.

-Have one for each time of the day you think you’ll need it (for example, one for the train in the morning, one for when you are out buying lunch and one for the train in the evening). Wash your collection of masks at the end of each day.

-Handle masks safely. You wouldn’t leave your used tissue on your desk or hanging around your neck. Treat your used mask like a used handkerchief.

-Clean your hands before and after you put on your mask or any time you feel like you want to adjust your mask. Having hand sanitiser in a small bottle with you at all times will help keep you safe.

-Masks are not for babies and children under two years old. Masks can be choking hazards for infants and toddlers.

-Remember, the safest thing is to not go into a crowded place. Masks help you protect other people, they are not a substitute for physical distancing.

Food farmers struggling to find workers

Food farmers are struggling to find workers to help them pick their harvest amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said Australians could find work opportunities on farms, according to The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s very hard to get Australians to do that sort of work,” he said.

“I think it would be lovely if there was a change of mindset, but that‘s going to take a considerable amount of time.”

The citrus industry recently pushed to have the border restrictions eased so workers in Mildura could continue travelling into NSW to pick fruit.

One survey by Newgate Communications found regional Australians were less supportive of the Government’s JobKeeper package than those in the cities.

In metro areas 62 per cent supported JobKeeper but in the regions only 55 per cent were supportive of it.

Scott Morrison urges Aussies to support Victorians

Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Australians living in other states to show their support for Victorians as they face Stage 4 lockdowns.

“This pandemic, this virus, is taking a heavy toll. And now is the time — as it has been throughout this epidemic — that we continue to provide support for each other, offer an elbow of support,” Mr Morrison said.

“Wish it was a hug, but we know that's not gonna help,” he said.

“But that offer of support being there for each other at this time is incredibly important.

"If you've got friends in Victoria, call them. Cheer them up. Encourage them.

“Let them know you're there for them if you're in a state in a much better situation — which, thankfully, all other states and territories are.

“Offer whatever support you can.”

Mr Morrison said he knew it was a “really tough day” for Victorians.

“And I know you've had some really heartbreaking news.

“The idea that, in this country, we'd be living at a time where there would be a night curfew on an entire city of the size of Melbourne was unthinkable.

“But, frankly, as we've moved through this pandemic, we've had to deal with a lot of unthinkable things.

"But I'll tell you what – we will deal with it. Victorians, I know, are up to it.”

Mr Morrison made the comments as he announced the Federal government would be establishing a Disaster Recovery Payment to assist people who need to self-isolate.

Bondi yoga studio exposed after positive case identified

A yoga studio in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been exposed to COVID-19 after an infectious person attended the studio.

The unnamed person attended the Bondi yoga studio for an hour on July 23, from 11.25am to 12.30pm, NSW Health said in a statement today.

The case is associated with the Apollo Restaurant cluster from Potts Point, and has previously been recorded by NSW Health in the state’s coronavirus numbers.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District declined to name the yoga studio, telling 7 News there was no ongoing risk to the community. The individual’s close and casual contacts have been contacted by NSW Health.

Picture: iStock

“Public health officers confirmed appropriate cleaning and other COVID-safe measures are in place,” NSW Health said.

A different person, also infectious with COVID-19, attended a Fitness First in Rockdale in Sydney’s south on July 27. That person is also linked to the Apollo Restaurant cluster.

The individual was there from 11.25am to 12.30pm.

A total 26 cases have been linked to the Potts Point cluster, including 20 cases linked to the Apollo Restaurant cluster and six cases linked to the Thai Rock Restaurant Potts Point cluster.

Two of the positive cases attended both of the Potts Point restaurants.

16 COVID-19 fines issued over the weekend

Police issued 16 fines over the weekend to people who failed to comply with COVID-19 health directions.

Here is a breakdown of some of those fines:

– Police were called to a house party on Melaleuca Drive, Mullumbimby Creek, at about 2.45am on Saturday. Upon arrival officers witnesses a large number of people inside and outside the house, with social distance measures being ignored.

"The 53-year-old male resident told police he was aware there were too many attendees but wasn’t worried because he believes Coronavirus is just a flu," NSW Police said.

The man was issued a $1000 fine and the group was dispersed.

– Police issued $9000 in fines to nine people following indoor gatherings at East Jindabyne and Maroubra that exceeded the 20-person limit.

– Officers were monitoring a group who has gathered for an unauthorised assembly on Friday. When the group exceeded 20 people at about 11am police issued a move-on direction to the spokesman before issuing formal directions to each participant.

"After the spokesman refused to comply with directions and attempted to incite the rest of the group, he was arrested," NSW Police said. "He then refused to provide his details and was subsequently taken to Day Street Police Station."

The 47-year-old was then identified and issued with a $1000 fine.

– Officers were monitoring another unauthorised public assembly at Camperdown at about 11.30am on Friday. After numbers in the group increased to about 40 people, police issued a formal direction under the Public Health Act.

Two men, aged 34 and 38, failed to comply with the move-on direction and were each issued a $1000 fine.

– Just after midday on Friday police attended a hotel in Liverpool to speak with a 44-year-old woman after it was determined she provided "false compassionate reasons" on her entry permit to travel into NSW from Victoria.

She was informed her permit was invalid and was directed to return to Victoria. She was also issued a $1000 fine.

– Police attended a licensed venue in Crescent Head at about 7.30pm on Friday and spoke with the male licensee about their COVID-Safe Plan and issues raised during a previous inspection.

"While conducting the walk-through, the officers noted that the premises was full, but only nine names were recorded on the register," NSW Police said. "Further, tables and chairs had not been removed to ensure physical distancing and it was not being observed."

The 50-year-old man was issued with a $1000 fine.

– Police stopped a vehicle on Burley Griffin Way, Springdale, just before 11am on Saturday. Checks revealed the 24-year-old female driver was disqualified from driving and was in breach of her self-isolation requirements as she had returned from Victoria on July 20.

The woman was fined $1000 and issued with a Court Attendance Notice for driving while disqualified. She was directed to return home and complete her self-isolation period.