At the beginning of 2020, the idea that visiting a shopping centre might mean you'd need to self-isolate afterwards would've seemed very strange indeed. But, that scenario is now a normal part of life during a pandemic — and one that New South Wales residents are getting used to during the state's response to COVID-19.
Naming locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited is key element of NSW's containment strategy, and today, Wednesday, August 12, it has announced the latest places Sydneysiders should be wary of. The big one: IKEA in Rhodes, with anyone who went looking for affordable Swedish furniture between 1.20–2.20pm on Saturday, August 8 asked to monitor their health, and self-isolate and get a test for COVID-19 if they start suffering from even the mildest of symptoms.
Also on the list is Parramatta Westfield, with visitors to the centre on two specific days asked to watch for symptoms: between 4–5.30pm on Wednesday, August 5, and from 12–1pm on Saturday, August 8. Folks who frequented Castle Towers Shopping Centre between 3.30–5pm on Friday, August 7 fall into the same category as well.
Rounding out the latest rundown of venues is the Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club, with the warning applying to those in attendance from 5pm on Friday, August 7–1.30am on Saturday, August 8; and Penrith's Baby Bunting, as specifically relevant to anyone who went to the store between 1.15–1.45pm on Saturday, August 8.
NSW Health is maintaining an ongoing register of locations that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases, and it's beginning to get lengthy — you can check out the entire list on its website.
And, if you need a reminder, the symptoms to look out for are coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste. You can find a rundown of testing clinic locations online as well.
At the time of writing, NSW has 133 active COVID-19 cases, from a pandemic-long total of 3726 across the state.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.