Coronavirus Australia: Bondi in lockdown … but you wouldn’t know it
With 89 new cases, another death, and an apartment tower quarantined, it seems some in Bondi think lockdown rules don’t apply.
A Bondi Junction apartment block at the centre of an emerging Covid-19 cluster has been placed under police guard in a bid to stop the spread of the virus seeping into the community.
All residents within a 29-unit apartment block on Botany Street have been deemed close contacts and will be locked up in their homes for 14 days, unable to leave even for essential groceries or fresh air.
But the building’s shutdown comes as Bondi locals flocked to the beach at midday on Tuesday, with pictures emerging of people flouting Covid public health orders.
Fresh images show dozens of people exercising in close quarters, not adhering to the two-per person exercise rule or social distancing requirements.
Locals could be seen working out at Bondi’s infamous outdoor gym, which has not been shut down as many recreational equipment stations were in the first Sydney lockdown.
While Gladys Berejiklian has resisted mounting pressure to tighten stay-at-home restrictions, she pleaded with the community on Tuesday to follow the rules, and to not leave home for any reason unless they “absolutely (had) to”.
“Every time you risk going outside and do the wrong thing, you risk bringing the virus home to those you love the most and that is what the data is telling us,” she said
The only way Sydney would emerge out of lockdown was if people stayed at home, the NSW Premier said.
“Our efforts will allow us to leave the lockdown in a timely way, but that is dependent on all of us doing the right thing at all times.”
As some Bondi locals enjoyed an extended lunchtime while working from home, residents in the nearby apartment block were not so lucky.
NSW Health authorities confirmed one further case detected in the apartment building on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to nine.
Five different households have been infected, with officials scrambling to ensure residents stay locked up in their individual apartments to contain the spread.
The police moved in to shut the building down on Monday morning, with officers stationed through the night to ensure no one exits or enters the building.
The building has been taped off, police units and private security guards patrol outside the building, and a police van is parked nearby.
NSW Health has enforced mandatory mask wearing in all common areas of apartment blocks across Sydney to prevent any similar outbreaks.
“These cases reinforce the need for everyone to wear a face mask in a shared foyer or lobby, lifts, stairwells and corridors and shared laundry facilities of apartment complexes,” NSW Health said in a statement on Monday.
“This advice applies to everyone, including residents, visitors, building managers, concierge staff, contractors, delivery drivers and cleaners.”
NSW Health has been working with the residents to ensure residents are safe and have access to essential goods and services they require.
“NSW Health has worked with the residents and strata management to assess the situation and, in collaboration with other agencies, is implementing measures to address infection control and the health and welfare of residents,” the statement said.
All residents in the apartment block are being tested, monitored and will have to stay inside their homes for 14 days.
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