New venues on alert as Gladys Berejiklian warns residents to ‘brace’ for more cases

New venues, including a popular burger joint, are on alert after two infectious Queenslanders crossed the border to Byron Bay for a hen’s party.

There have been no new cases of coronavirus in NSW, but there are fears the virus-free streak may not last.

Several new venues, including a popular burger joint, in Byron Bay are on alert after two infectious Queenslanders crossed the border for a hen’s weekend. They were unknowingly carrying the virus.

Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co has been listed as an exposure site. Anyone who sat in the laneway between 11am and noon on March 27 have been told to isolate for two weeks and get tested.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there were no new cases on Tuesday but urged people to get tested after just 7000 swabs were taken in the latest reporting period.

“The situation is evolving and if cases are identified in NSW, we will have to respond,” she said.

Two women visited The Farm while unknowingly infectious.

“I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that but given that we did have two infected people at a number of venues in NSW, we should brace ourselves.”

Ms Berejiklian said she hoped no cases would pop up in NSW but would “not be surprised” if they did.

Her comments come after the two Queensland women travelled to Byron Bay with friends, sparking concerns the virus may have spread across the border.

In addition to the burger joint several venues are on alert in the renowned holiday town, including The Farm, and Byron Beach Hotel.

Anyone who was at the Byron Beach Hotel on March 26 between 7.15pm and 8.30pm must isolate for 14 days and get tested.

The same goes for those at The Farm Byron Bay on March 28 between 8am and 9.30pm.

Also, anyone who visited the Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park communal toilets on March 26 from 6pm to 6.30pm and 9.10pm to 9.30pm and on March 27 from 3.20pm to 3.50pm should immediately get tested and self-isolate.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is urging residents to brace themselves for more cases. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The same precautions should be taken for patrons who went to Mokha Cafe at Byron Bay on March 27 from 11am to noon and sat inside or out the front of the venue.

Other businesses and venues, including a bottle shop and retail store, have also been flagged as exposure sites.

Holidaymakers who stayed at the Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park between 4pm on March 26 and 8.30am on March 28 are also listed as casual contacts and should monitor symptoms.

Ms Berejiklian reiterated that anyone returning to NSW from Brisbane after March 20 must follow the same stay-at home-orders as those in the Sunshine State.

“Please know our health authorities, all of our government experts, our health experts, are doing everything we can to get on top of any situation which might arise in NSW to give our residents confidence that what we're doing is keeping them safe,” she said.

Eight new cases were recorded in Queensland on Tuesday including a tradie who travelled to Byron Bay to attend the hen’s party as an entertainer.

Byron Bay is on alert.

RELATED: ‘Hen’s entertainer’ linked to COVID-19 outbreak

He visited the TriCare Mermaid Beach Aged Care Residence on the Gold Coast while infected with COVID-19. All residents have had their first dose of the vaccine.

Chief health officer Jeannette Young revealed two separate clusters had been linked to two unlinked health officials.

The first cluster was linked to a doctor from the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane from three weeks ago. He is believed to have infected the Stafford and Strathpine men from last week.

The second cluster, currently responsible for five infections, is linked to a nurse from the same hospital who travelled to Byron Bay with her sister for a bachelor party.

“One of the positive cases in that second cluster attended the hen’s party as an entertainer,” Dr Young confirmed.

She said health officials would visit the aged care centre immediately and vaccinate all staff at the facility.