Dust off the masks and cancel those travel plans, NSW is facing more restrictions as the latest coronavirus outbreak grows, but some say the messaging from the Government in response to the cases has been more confusing than helpful.
NSW's growing COVID-19 outbreak has prompted health authorities to release a swathe of new exposure sites in several Sydney suburbs.
People working in Bondi Junction metres from where the first exposure site was recorded on Wednesday said the events of the week had affected them financially and emotionally.
There are currently nine separate Bondi and Bondi Junction venues on the close and casual contact list.
ABC News: Basel Hindeleh
)Cafe worker Samrina Dangol from Nutrition Station Cafe and market stall owner Elisa Mereu at Bondi Junction Interchange said they were looking to NSW Health for answers.
"I got scared to come to work," Ms Dangol said.
"We're customer-facing and we never know who might have the virus.
"I admire Australia and I appreciate the way the government is handling the situation, but obviously we're impacted.
"Sometimes when the government does give advice, like about the vaccines and who needs to be vaccinated, it's confusing."
ABC News
)Shadow minister for health Ryan Park slammed the government's response to date, asking for clear rules.
"This case has been terribly handled. We know that there haven't been the strict protocols and the checks and balances put in place by the government," Mr Park said.
"We need the government to be really clear with their messages at the moment because the community is concerned, small businesses are concerned. And what we rely on the government is to give accurate, consistent and clear advice."
The messaging that Mr Park said is adding to the concern was by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who said on Friday while travel was discouraged, events should go on as planned.
"Don't panic but remain on high alert," she said.
"If you're planning to go to an organised event, those events should proceed because all outdoor events, all events have good COVID safety plans."
Fortunately, expert epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett at Melbourne's Deakin University agrees, for now.
7.30 Report
)Professor Bennett said the response to find, test and isolate known exposed people was working for the city, adding that comparisons between the Sydney eastern suburb's cases and Melbourne's cluster were worlds apart.
"The latest Melbourne outbreaks, including the Delta cluster, were three weeks in the making before discovery," Professor Bennett said.
"NSW is different. On the upside whilst they are yet to figure out how the index case acquired the virus, authorities can be reasonably confident that this is the cross-over point into the community.
"They are therefore only a generation of spread behind the virus, not four or five like Melbourne."
Sydney's strong testing turnout and containing the exposure sites may see this outbreak run its course, according to Professor Bennett.
"If all exposure sites have good testing showing no other cases, or any other cases that are out there are found in the next 24 hours, then this remains very manageable," she said.
"If there is a delay, then they may need more measures like masks indoors in public places, to minimize the risk."
An urgent National Cabinet meeting has been called for states leaders on Monday to address the vaccine roll-out, the outbreak and the border response, as Victoria declares some Sydney suburbs orange zones, needing a permit to travel and testing on return.
Meanwhile, Queensland has barred those who have visited the Waverley council area from entering the state, requiring those returning travellers to quarantine for 14 days.
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2021-06-18 21:49:47Z
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