NSW Health has ordered a Western Sydney restaurant to remain closed after it failed to come up with records of staff and patrons in a "timely manner".
A staff member who worked three shifts at Jasmins1 Lebanese restaurant in Liverpool while potentially infectious was today reported as a confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 case.
The employee worked on October 26, 31 and November 1, despite the restaurant being told on October 28 that cases of COVID-19 had attended the restaurant three days earlier.
NSW Health said the restaurant did not have a COVID safety plan and did not keep contact details of customers.
The restaurant has now been told to come up with booking information and financial records to try to piece together who may be at risk.
The order to stay closed is under section 11 of the Public Health Act 2010, and carries fines of $11,000 and six months imprisonment.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned on Monday mandatory QR codes "are still on the table" if venues continued to flout safety requirements.
The restaurant is linked to the Hoxton Park cluster, which is now at seven confirmed cases.
NSW Health today urged people in 10 nearby suburbs in Sydney's south-west to come forward for testing as residents are at particular risk of contracting coronavirus.
People to come forward immediately for testing if they present even the mildest of symptoms, including a runny nose, sore throat or fever.
The suburbs are: West Hoxton, Hoxton Park, Middleton Grange, Horningsea Park, Carnes Hill, Edmondson Park, Denham Court, Prestons, Busby and Miller.
The restaurant worker was the only new locally acquired coronavirus infection recorded in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday.
Health authorities have urged people who attended the restaurant for more than one hour at the following times to get tested immediately and isolate for a full 14 days from exposure, regardless of the result of the test.
- Monday, October 26 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm
- Saturday, October 31 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm
- Sunday, November 1 from 9:00am to 1:45pm
Anyone who attended for less than one hour is considered a casual contact and should monitor their health.
It's the second time this week the Hoxton Park cluster has increased: a child who tested positive was added to the Western Sydney suburb's outbreak total yesterday.
There were a further two cases reported among returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
A total of 8,550 people were tested to 8:00pm last night, up slightly from Sunday's total of 7,431 swabs taken.
