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Berala cluster worry

Get tested, isolate if ‘a close contact’

WITH the Covid-19 cases linked to the ‘Berala cluster’ increasing to 13 on Sunday, wearing a face mask has become mandatory at a range of indoor settings such as shopping centres and clubs as well as public transport.

Revising previous advice, NSW Health now says anyone who visited the BWS store in Berala between December 22-31 is considered ’a close contact’, meaning they must immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days from the last date of exposure, regardless of whether a negative result is received.

A SECOND wave of Covid-19 is threatening to swamp Greater Sydney with residents in Berala, Auburn and Lidcombe urged to come forward for testing as soon as any symptoms appear, however mild.

Despite two new cases linked to the ‘Berala cluster’ identified overnight on Sunday – too late to be included in Monday’s figures – and Woolworths in Berala added as a venue of concern, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said there “won’t be any lockdown of the Cumberland area”.

Thirteen positive tests were already centred around the BWS Berala store on Woodburn Road, including a man in his 40s, five family members and a co-worker, and the state’s chief health officer Kerry Chant warned that more than 2,000 people have already been identified as potential ‘close contacts’ of the cluster.

The Government’s move to mandate wearing face masks at a range of indoor settings was welcomed by the owner of Berala Kebab House, Nev Aslan who described the town centre as “almost empty” on Monday morning.

Admitting he was relieved to have been closed over the Christmas and New Year break for some minor work in his shop, he said he will offer a free mask to diners who need one when he reopens on Wednesday but anyone refusing to wearing a mask will be asked to leave.

“Masks are definitely a good idea,” he said.

“The Government should be more strict. At the end of the day it’s costing the Government and costing us.”

While also welcoming the mask mandate, State MP for Auburn and Shadow Minister for Sport, Lynda Voltz, added her voice to an increasing chorus calling for the upcoming cricket test between Australian and India to be played without crowds.

“It’s important to our sporting community that the test proceed but at the end of the day the Government needs to consider the health risk of allowing crowds,” she said.