Gladys Berejiklian threatens to make QR codes mandatory as authorities struggle to find potentially infected diners

Frustrated NSW health authorities are threatening to make QR codes mandatory as contact tracers struggle to find potentially infected diners.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian during the official opening of the NorthConnex Motorway in West Pennant Hills, Sydney, Friday, October 30, 2020. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian Source: AAP

NSW authorities have again hit out businesses which aren't doing the right thing, as contact tracers struggle to track down patrons who dined at a Sydney restaurant visited by a person with COVID-19.

Only one locally-transmitted case of coronavirus was diagnosed from 7431 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, but authorities remain concerned there may be undetected transmission in southwest Sydney.

A public health alert has been issued for patrons who visited Jasmins Lebanese Restaurant in Liverpool on October 25 for at least an hour between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Contact tracers have battled for days to find diners - who are considered close contacts and must isolate for 14 days - because the restaurant did not comply with the requirement to record the contact details of all patrons.

More than a week after the exposure, NSW Health is still searching for a handful of diners.
A frustrated Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned there is no excuse for non-compliance seven months after the pandemic was declared.

"We will throw the book at anybody who doesn't have a COVID-safe plan, (and anyone) who not only doesn't have a QR code system in place but doesn't even have a sign-in system in place," she told reporters on Monday.

"You cannot rely on the one person who made a group booking - that's not how it works."
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant also urged businesses to help contact tracers do their jobs.

"You think that it's a remote possibility that someone comes to your business that is infected, but this highlights that it can happen," she said.

She also encouraged patrons to give their business to venues that had their safety in mind.

"If you have not been given a hygiene messages when you go in, if you're not shown a QR code, if someone doesn't prompt you to sign in - that is not the telling of... a good premises that actually cares about its patrons," she said.

Making QR codes mandatory to combat non-compliance was still on the table, Ms Berejiklian said.
The case included in Monday's numbers is a child who authorities believe acquired the virus at Flip Out Prestons Indoor Trampoline Park, as first reported on Sunday.

Another child, who also attended the park at the same time as a known case, was diagnosed late on Thursday night.

Anyone who attended the park from 11am to 2pm on 25 October must get tested immediately and isolate for a full 14 days regardless of the result.

The new case also attended Bambino's Kindergarten in Horningsea Park on 29 and 30 October.

All staff and children who attended on those days are close contacts and must be tested for the virus immediately and isolate for a fully 14 days regardless of the result.

Six cases were also detected in returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.

Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, VictoriaQueenslandWestern AustraliaSouth AustraliaNorthern TerritoryACTTasmania.

 


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