Coronavirus Australia: Bunnings, Coles, Woolworths in Sydney and Melbourne exposed to Covid

Australia’s two biggest cities face many more days of lockdown uncertainty, with Covid outbreaks growing at a relentless pace and the future of both states’ restrictions still unknown.

While the nation had until recently maintained a firm grip on coronavirus cases, Sydney’s growing cluster – with 98 cases on Monday – is now a major concern, as is the outbreak now gripping Victorians for the fifth time. 

Victoria recorded 16 new Covid-19 cases on Monday prompting Premier Daniel Andrews to announce his state’s hardline restrictions would not be lifted as intended at 11:59pm on Tuesday night. 

New exposure sites published on Monday night, including a busy Bunnings in Melbourne and a bottle shop 500km from Sydney in Coffs Harbour, are unlikely to make health officials confident the outbreaks are getting under control. 

South Australia is also experiencing enhanced Covid restrictions from midnight on Monday, after three new cases were recorded – including an 81-year-old man who had recently been in NSW hotel quarantine after flying home from Argentina. 

‘There is an ongoing challenge for all of us, but we will not be ready to lift these restrictions at midnight tomorrow night,’ Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday 

Victoria recorded 16 new Covid-19 cases on Monday prompting the premier to announce the hardline restrictions would not be lifted as intended at 11:59pm on Tuesday night

Victoria recorded 16 new Covid-19 cases on Monday prompting the premier to announce the hardline restrictions would not be lifted as intended at 11:59pm on Tuesday night

‘There is an ongoing challenge for all of us, but we will not be ready to lift these restrictions at midnight tomorrow night,’ he said at a press conference. 

‘To do so, would not be the right thing to do. I know this is not the news people want to hear but we have to do the right thing.’ 

The new cases came after 54,839 tests were conducted and 14,758 vaccine doses administered in the last 24 hours. There are now 81 active cases. 

While Victorians wait with baited breath for an update on Tuesday morning, Sydneysiders are entering their fourth week of strict stay-at-home restrictions to stem the city’s outbreak of the highly-contagious Indian Delta variant. 

Of the 98 newly-acquired cases, 20 were active in the community for their entire contagious period and another 17 for part of the time they were infectious. 

‘That 20 number is the one we want to nudge,’ Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

‘The closer we get that number to zero, the sooner we can end the lockdown.’ 

Of the 98 new cases recorded in NSW on Monday, 20 were active in the community for their entire contagious period and another 17 for part of the time they were infectious

 Of the 98 new cases recorded in NSW on Monday, 20 were active in the community for their entire contagious period and another 17 for part of the time they were infectious

in NSW, 17 new exposure sites were added to the ever-growing list of high-risk sites on Monday night, including a bottle shop 500km from the city (pictured, the Hoey Moey bottle shop in Coffs Harbour)

in NSW, 17 new exposure sites were added to the ever-growing list of high-risk sites on Monday night, including a bottle shop 500km from the city (pictured, the Hoey Moey bottle shop in Coffs Harbour)

Of the 98 new cases, 67 infections - more than two-thirds - were found in Sydney's south-west

Of the 98 new cases, 67 infections – more than two-thirds – were found in Sydney’s south-west

NSW Health said 37 of the cases have not yet been linked to known cases, with 67 of the 98 infections – more than two-thirds – found in Sydney’s south-west. 

Of the remaining cases, 11 were found in the city’s west and another eight were detected in central Sydney. 

There are 82 patients in NSW hospitals suffering from Covid-19, of which 24 are in intensive case and seven are being ventilated. 

Ms Berejiklian said families across Sydney – particularly in the south-west where transmission is highest – needed to stay at home if the city had any chance at coming out of lockdown.

‘You need to be extra, extra careful about workplaces and about your own family members who don’t live in your household,’ Ms Berejiklian said.

‘Workplaces not only spread the virus to colleagues but potentially spread the virus to other communities.’

The premier has ordered all construction to pause for two weeks across Sydney, but she said high transmission levels were still being recorded in workplaces. 

VICTORIA EXPOSURE SITES ANNOUNCED MONDAY NIGHT

Tier 1 – Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure:

Richmond: Burnley Street Apartment, Tuesday July 13 to Saturday July 17 from 12:00am to 11:59pm

Port Melbourne: 3 Point Training, Thursday July 15 from 5:25pm to 7:00pm

Prahan: Goodlife Health Club, Wednesday July 14 from 12:45pm to 2:25pm

Windsor: Upton Girl, Wednesday July 14 from 8:30am to 9:05am

Tier 2 – Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times should urgently get tested, then isolate until confirmation of a negative result. Continue to monitor for symptoms, get tested again if symptoms appear:

Fitzroy: Charles Street Apartment, Wednesday July 14 to Sunday July 18 from 12:00am to 11:59pm

Fitzroy: Eastern Hill Lotto, Friday July 16 from 1:45pm to 2:20pm

Fitzroy: HealthSmart Pharmacy, Friday July 16 from 3:30pm to 4:15pm

Fitzroy: Co Ba Cafe, Friday July 16 from 2:08pm to 2:45pm

Fitzroy: Courtyard 55 Cafe, Friday July 16 from 1:35pm to 2:10pm

Richmond: Tanner Street Apartment from Friday July 16 to Sunday July 18 from 12:00am to 11:59pm

Richmond: Appleton Street Apartment from Tuesday July 13 to Saturday July 17 from 12:00am to 11:59pm

Mildura: Solunar, Monday July 12 from 11:30am to 4:00pm

Dandenong South: Bunnings, Tuesday July 13 from 7:45am to 8:15am

Dandenong South: Swift Way Takeaway, Monday July 12, Tuesday July 13 and Thursday July 15 from 6:40am to 7:15am

USE DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA’S TRACKER TO FIND THE LATEST EXPOSURE SITES NEAR YOU

In Melbourne, a busy Bunnings, a popular takeaway and a suite of popular cafes were declared Covid exposure sites, as the city’s list of high-risk sites continues to spiral. 

The late night additions, which include four apartment blocks, two gyms and a pharmacy came after Mr Andrews promised Victorians would have an update on the extended restrictions on Tuesday morning. 

An urgent health alert has been issued to anyone who visited 3 Point Training in Port Melbourne on July 15 from 5:25pm to 7:00pm or the Goodlife Health Club in Prahan on July 14 from 12:45pm to 2:25pm.

Any person who visited the Tier 1 sites has been urged to immediately get tested and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure.

Shoppers who visited Bunnings in Dandenong South on July 13 from 7:45am to 8:15am should also get tested urgently and isolate until a negative result is received.

The same advice applies for those that visited the Swift Takeaway store in the same suburb on July 12, July 13 or July 15 from 6:40am to 7:15am.

hat visited the Swift Takeaway store in the same suburb on July 12, July 13 or July 15 from 6:40am to 7:15am should get tested until a negative result is achieved

hat visited the Swift Takeaway store in the same suburb on July 12, July 13 or July 15 from 6:40am to 7:15am should get tested until a negative result is achieved 

Anyone who dined at Solunar in the regional suburb of Mildura (pictured) on July 12 from 11:30am to 4:00pm has been asked to get tested and isolate until a negative result is received

Anyone who dined at Solunar in the regional suburb of Mildura (pictured) on July 12 from 11:30am to 4:00pm has been asked to get tested and isolate until a negative result is received

Anyone who dined at Solunar in the regional suburb of Mildura on July 12 from 11:30am to 4:00pm has also been exposed to a Covid positive patron.

Two popular cafes in Fitzroy were also attended by a positive case of Covid-19 on July 16, Co Ba Cafe and Courtyard Cafe 55.

The HealthSmart Pharmacy in Fitzroy was also exposed to the virus on July 16 from 3:30pm to 4:15pm as well as the Eastern Hill Lotto on the same day and suburb from 1:45pm to 2:15pm.

Four apartment blocks have also been added to the ever expanding list of high risk sites in the inner-city suburbs of Richmond and Fitzroy.

The raft of new exposure sites came after the Victorian premier vowed the lockdown would last only as long as it needed to.

‘I do not want to be in a situation where we failed to extinguish this and these chains of transmission, only to open an event, for it to be closed again a short time thereafter. That is not right,’ he said.

'I'm confident we will face that reality open as opposed to closed which is where Sydney finds itself now and for the foreseeable future,' Mr Andrews said in reference to the early lockdown

‘I’m confident we will face that reality open as opposed to closed which is where Sydney finds itself now and for the foreseeable future,’ Mr Andrews said in reference to the early lockdown

The state premier said he was confident about plunging the state into lockdown sooner rather than later – like Sydney – claiming the outbreak could have been much worse.

‘I’m confident we will face that reality open as opposed to closed which is where Sydney finds itself now and for the foreseeable future,’ he said.

‘We wish them well. There is no sense of criticism. If they have a problem, the whole country has a problem and that is why I wish them well in their efforts.’

Back in NSW, 17 new exposure sites were added to the ever-growing list of high-risk sites on Monday night, including a bottle shop 500km from the city. 

Anyone who attended the Hoey Moey Bottleshop in Coffs Harbour on Thursday July 15 from 3:55pm to 4:10pm has been urged to get tested and isolate for 14 days. 

Anyone who attended the Hoey Moey Bottleshop in Coffs Harbour on Thursday July 15 from 3:55pm to 4:10pm has been urged to get tested and isolate for 14 days

Anyone who attended the Hoey Moey Bottleshop in Coffs Harbour on Thursday July 15 from 3:55pm to 4:10pm has been urged to get tested and isolate for 14 days

Also declared Covid-19 exposure sites on Monday night was a Coles in Mt Druitt, a Woolworths in Belrose (pictured), a busy Aldi in Liverpool and a 7-Eleven in Burwood

Also declared Covid-19 exposure sites on Monday night was a Coles in Mt Druitt, a Woolworths in Belrose (pictured), a busy Aldi in Liverpool and a 7-Eleven in Burwood

The same advice applies for shoppers who visited the Free Choice in the Fairfield Forum on Saturday July 17 from 9am to 4pm or the Ampol Foodery in Padstow on Tuesday July 6 from 3:45pm to 4:00pm. 

A JB Hi-Fi, a Vodafone and an Optus store in Wetherill Park were also exposed to a Covid-infected shopper on Thursday July 15. 

Also declared Covid-19 exposure sites was a Coles in Mt Druitt, a Woolworths in Belrose, a busy Aldi in Liverpool and a 7-Eleven in Burwood. 

The Fairfield Forum Market was also visited by an infected shopper on Friday July 16 from 10am to 12pm, as well as the Woolworths in Fairfield Heights on July 17 and the Metro Petroleum on July 15. 

Shoppers who attended these venues are considered casual contacts and are urged to get tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is received. 

USE DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA’S TRACKER TO FIND THE LATEST EXPOSURE SITES NEAR YOU

 

NSW EXPOSURE SITES ANNOUNCED MONDAY NIGHT

Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times is considered a close contact and must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days regardless of the result: 

Padstow: Ampol Foodery, Tuesday July 6 from 3:45pm to 4pm

Coffs Harbour: Hoey Moey Bottle shop, Thursday July 15 from 3:55pm to 4pm

Fairfield: Free Choice Fairfield Forum, Saturday July 17 from 9am to 4pm 

Tier 2 – Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times is considered a casual contact and should urgently get tested, then isolate until a negative result is received: 

Burwood: 7-Eleven, Saturday July 10 from 3:25am to 3:35am

Belrose: Woolworths Glenrose Village, Saturday July 10 from 8:30am to 8:40am

Liverpool: Aldi, Monday July 12 from 9:15am to 9:45am

Mt Druitt: Coles Mt Druitt Westfield, Monday July 12 from 8:20am to 9:20am and Tuesday July 13 from 1:25pm to 2pm

Smithfield: All Parts Auto, Wednesday July 14 from 8:15am to 9:15am

Wetherill Park: JB Hi-Fi Stockland, Thursday July 15 from 2:45pm to 3:10pm

Wetherill Park: Vodafone Stockland, Thursday July 15 from 2:40pm to 3pm

Wetherill Park: Optus Stockland, Thursday July 15 from 2:30pm to 3:10pm

Parramatta: Chemist Warehouse, Wednesday July 14 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm and Thursday July 15 from 10:30am to 11am

Crows Nest: newsXpress, Thursday July 15 from 12:35pm to 12:45pm

Fairfield: Metro Petroleum, Thursday July 15 from 2:15pm to 2:25pm

Fairfield: Fairfield Forum Market, Friday July 16 from 10am to 12pm

Fairfield Heights: Woolworths, Saturday July 17 from 12pm to 12:30pm

Wallsend: Coles Express, Saturday July 17 from 2:45pm to 3pm 

The new cases recorded on Monday mean NSW health officials have now found 1,340 Covid-19 infections since the cluster began with an infected limo driver from Bondi on June 16.

Sydney is now suffering through its biggest Covid outbreak of the entire pandemic with more cases in a month than the entire first wave. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has repeatedly warned the Indian Delta variant of the virus posed the greatest threat the state has faced thus far.

She again warned ‘this strain is unlike anything we’ve ever seen’ just 24 hours after admitting she ‘can’t remember a time when our state has been challenged to such an extent.’  

The premier admitted meanwhile she may not be able to fully dial back NSW’s strict restrictions until October – when 80 per cent of the state’s population is expected to be vaccinated against the virus. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has repeatedly warned the Indian Delta variant of the virus posed the greatest threat the state has faced thus far

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has repeatedly warned the Indian Delta variant of the virus posed the greatest threat the state has faced thus far

‘Until we get vaccination rates at a level that will protect the community we will have to live with some level of restriction,’ she said.

‘I think that is accepted and we are looking forward to those extra doses that are coming by the end of September.

‘So by the end of October they will be a much higher rate of vaccination.’ 

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said there were 47 cases recorded in the south-western Fairfield LGA, which continues to experience the state’s highest rate of transmission.

She said she wanted to see increased levels of testing not only in Sydney’s south-west but also in northern and south-eastern parts of the city.

We need to make sure that we are not complacent and think this is just an issue in south-west Sydney – far from it,’ Dr Chant said.

‘Every time we leave our house we have to be vigilant in terms of who we interact with.’

The new cases recorded on Monday mean NSW health officials have now found 1,340 Covid-19 infections since that cluster began on June 16

The new cases recorded on Monday mean NSW health officials have now found 1,340 Covid-19 infections since that cluster began on June 16

Sydney is now suffering through its biggest Covid outbreak of the entire pandemic with more cases in a month than the entire first wave (pictured, a woman running along Bondi Beach)

Sydney is now suffering through its biggest Covid outbreak of the entire pandemic with more cases in a month than the entire first wave (pictured, a woman running along Bondi Beach)

Meanwhile it emerged a family of tourists who travelled from the state to a Queensland holiday island have been moved into quarantine. 

A family of six were also escorted by police off Hamilton Island, in Queensland’s Whitsundays, on Sunday.

It was revealed they had left Victoria just before the state was plunged into a snap-five day lockdown on Friday.

They are considered to be close contacts of a Covid-19 positive case in Victoria.

The group were taken back to mainland Queensland and two of the family members were placed into 14-day private quarantine.

The remaining four have been taken to Prosperine Hospital where they will be tested before they are reunited with their family in isolation.

All the new cases recorded in Victoria are linked to the current outbreaks of the Delta variant in the state, which originated in New South Wales (pictured, people exercising in Victoria)

All the new cases recorded in Victoria are linked to the current outbreaks of the Delta variant in the state, which originated in New South Wales (pictured, people exercising in Victoria)

All the new cases recorded in Victoria are linked to the current outbreaks of the Delta variant in the state, which originated in New South Wales.

Mr Andrews described the next 48 hours as ‘critical’ in determining if lockdown would be lifted on time.

‘I can’t make announcements of what will be relevant and what will be done safely and what will be possible from midnight on Tuesday,’ he said.

‘The next 24 and 48 hours are critical in terms of that. As soon as we can provide people with greater clarity … then, of course, we will.

‘But it is too early, frustrating I know, but too early for us to make those announcements today.’ 

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