A New South Wales mayor has slammed the state government for failing to inform residents that they were going into lockdown during yesterday's announcement.
Greater Sydney – including Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and Central Coast – was forced into a two-week lockdown on Saturday in response to the growing NSW COVID-19 outbreak.
Shellharbour was omitted in the initial health alert put out after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's press conference.
The Local Government Area was eventually included in the lockdown hours after it came into effect at 6:00pm on Saturday.
"It is the total incompetence of the NSW government to get a clear message across to my community," Shellharbour City Mayor Marianne Saliba said.
"I have been inundated with calls and messages from people in Shellharbour City who run small businesses, people who are going within the state to funerals and on holidays with school children."
Shellharbour residents were subject to initial restrictions after two people linked to the Bondi cluster visited a baby store while infectious.
Cr Saliba said this caused confusion because the Premier had not included Shellharbour in the stay-at-home order.
"It has made people more frustrated than ever, because we didn't know whether we were in or out," she said.
Cafe owner fined
This morning police fined the owner of a Shellharbour cafe for failing to enforce mask wearing at his cafe.
Police said the 41-year-old and three of his employees were not wearing masks when officers attended the venue.
"There was an absolute clear resistance from the cafe owner and those people at front-of-house to actually wear a mask," Commissioner Gary Worboys said.
"It is clearly irresponsible."
NSW Opposition health spokesman Ryan Park urged business owners to follow the health advice.
"People have got to follow the rules," he said..
Outdoor distancing worries
The Member for Keira also addressed concerns about crowding at public outdoor areas, including the Blue Mile footpath between the North and City beaches, a popular exercise spot.
"We have got to use a bit of common sense," Mr Park said.
"If it is getting really crowded just move away or move to another area down there, or move to another section of that location — that is always going to be popular.
"But we are in a very difficult environment and that means the best thing we can do is try and give each other space in these problem areas."
Virus traces detected
For the first time during this outbreak fragments of the coronavirus were detected in the Port Kembla sewerage network, which services 49,000 people living in the southern suburbs of Wollongong.
NSW Health has confirmed close contacts of confirmed cases are living in these suburbs.
They have been contacted by health authorities but there are no positive detections to date.
"I think it shows it is out in our community," Wollongong Deputy Mayor Tania Brown said.
"If anyone is feeling any symptoms please go and get tested.
