Restaurant ordered to close after COVID-positive staff member went to work

A COVID-positive restaurant staffer went to work despite being ordered to isolate — and that’s not all this venue did to flout restrictions.

Jasmins Lebanese Restaurant in Liverpool has been forced to close after ignoring COVID restrictions. Picture: David Swift.

A Sydney restaurant has been forced to close until further notice after it allowed a staff member to work while potentially infectious with COVID-19.

Jasmins Lebanese Restaurant in Liverpool must remain closed until it is “no longer a risk to public health”, a NSW Health spokesperson said.

Staff members were ordered to isolate because diners with the virus had attended while infectious.

The restaurant was told on October 28 that staffers who may have come into contact with the patrons would have to isolate until November 8.

But a staff member continued working — even though they could potentially infect others in the community — NSW Health said.

It was revealed on Tuesday the staff member did indeed catch coronavirus and could have been infectious while working.

The spokesperson said Jasmins also:

• Failed to provide records relating to staffing and patronage in a timely manner to support public health action
• Failed to implement COVID-19 safety measures
  
• Did not keep contact details of patrons
• Did not have a COVID safety plan

“NSW Health has today directed the Jasmins Lebanese Restaurant in Liverpool to remain closed until further notice,” they said.

“The order has been made under section 11 of the Public Health Act 2010 to protect public health.”

The staff member’s case is linked to the Hoxton Park cluster, which now totals seven cases.

Anyone who worked at or attended Jasmins for more than one hour on the following dates and times is considered a close contact.

They must get tested immediately and isolate for a full 14 days from when they were there, regardless of the result:

• Monday 26 October, 4pm – 9pm
• Saturday 31 October, 3pm – 8pm
• Sunday 1 November, 9am – 1.45pm

Anyone who attended for less than one hour during the above times is considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop.

The restaurant earlier lashed out on social media in defiance of claims it had disobeyed restrictions. 

It wrote on Facebook reporters needed a sock in their mouths, prior to NSW Health closing it down.

Jasmins Liverpool Facebook page posted images of police officers and NSW Health workers signing in as supposed evidence they had followed the rules before they were shut down by NSW Health.

They commented that the media was “trying to destroy our family business” by reporting on the breaches.

But customers bit back, with one woman telling the restaurant: “Shame on you”.

“You should have done the right thing. I hope no one loses their life because of your blatant disregard for the health regulations during this pandemic,” she said.

Another commenter wrote: “Come on, come clean … Aussies don’t like to be taken for a ride, mate”.

Jasmins Liverpool Facebook page defended itself against accusations it hadn't followed COVID-19 prevention measures, before being closed down by NSW Health.

Facebook commenters did not approve of Jasmins Liverpool posting that reporters should have a sock in their mouth.

NSW Health has directed Jasmins Liverpool to provide a complete range of all records such as booking information and financial documents relating to staff and patrons on the premises during the times of the COVID-19 risk.

“To re-open, the restaurant must demonstrate compliance with COVID-19 restrictions on gathering and movement, including the development of a COVID safety plan and measures to record contact details of patrons that are approved by NSW Health,” the spokesperson said.

“It is an offence to not comply with an order under section 11, with a maximum penalty of $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment for an individual or $55,000 for a corporation.

“Continuing offences also apply for each day the order is not complied with.”

On Monday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian expressed concerns that businesses not following the rules could have led to undetected spread of COVID-19 in Sydney.

“It is an enormous cause of concerned that there are people that could be infected that have not been identified,” she said.

“Our job is made harder when businesses aren’t doing the right thing. It concerns me that there are people walking around that could have been exposed and have the virus.”