Fresh COVID-19 Outbreak Forces Star Sydney Closure
Do not head to The Star Sydney for at least the next week because it is closed. A fresh COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in the New South Wales government imposing new restrictions.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced Friday that four local government areas are moving into lockdown for seven days. The City of Sydney is one of that quartet of areas. Berejiklian later extended lockdown measures to all of Greater Sydney for an additional week.
The Star Entertainment Group issued a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange following Berejiklian’s announcement. Surprisingly, Star’s share price remained largely unaffected.
“The Star Entertainment Group Limited references the NSW Government’s announcement of a seven-day stay-at-home order that applied to four Local Government Areas, including The Star Sydney’s location, and takes effect from 11:59 pm on Friday 25 June 2021. The orders also detail that people should only enter the four Local Government Areas for essential purposes.”
Gaming, bars, and restaurants are off-limits, but the hotel remains open in some capacity.
“The Star Sydney will cease operations, apart from limited hotel facilities, from this time as a result of the orders. These restrictions will remain in place until at least 11:59 pm on Friday 2 July”
“The Star will continue to pay staff during the seven-day stay-at-home period.”
“The stay-at-home orders follow the introduction of the 1 person per 4-square-metre rule the mandatory wearing of masks, and the implementation of the ‘no drinking while standing’ rile pursuant to public health orders made on 23 June 2021.”
COVID-19 Outbreak Sparked by Limousine Driver
News outlets point the finger of blame at an airport limousine driver for the latest COVID-19 outbreak. The unnamed driver, labelled Patient Zero in the press, potentially faced a criminal investigation. Police have since dropped the investigation because of a lack of evidence.
Police Commissioner Mike Fuller explains more.
“Yesterday I advised we had sent the case for urgent external legal advice due to the significance of this outbreak and the community concern. I can now confirm we have received advice that there is insufficient evidence to establish that either the limousine driver or his employee breached any public health orders.”
The limousine driver appeared on Nine’s A Current Affair last week, doing so with his face pixelated. He revealed he is unvaccinated because of a family history of blood clots. Furthermore, he had not taken daily tests.
The Bondi man did not take any tests during his time off work. A positive test revealed his infection when he returned to his duties. However, he has already been out and about in the community for several days before discovering his positive test result.
Flight Crews Not To Blame Says Driver
The driver blamed for the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney does not think he caught it from any flight crews. He claims he caught the deadly Delta variant of COVID-19 from a customer at his regular coffee stop.
He regularly visits Belle Cafe in Vaucluse and vividly remembers a customer in his 30s who sat near him on June 12 who was violently coughing. The cafe hit the headlines for the wrong reasons at the start of the original COVID-19 outbreak. An elderly woman caught the virus there from another infected person.
The driver is currently fighting the virus. He claims to always wear a mask and gloves while driving customers. Additionally, he sanitises his car between passengers.
Fourth Time Star Sydney Has Closed
This is the fourth time a COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in Star Sydney closing. Restrictions tightened over the Christmas and New Year’s period following an outbreak in Sydney’s northern beaches area.
Crown Resorts is yet to comment about its resort in Barangaroo. Crown’s Sydney casino has not yet opened after the company was deemed unsuitable for a gaming licence. However, its lavish hotel, bars, and leisure services are open for business.
