Orange mayor Reg Kidd says he is concerned how a person from a Sydney COVID hotspot came to visit Orange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Birdie Nosherie and Drinking Est restaurant in Summer Street has been closed and staff told to isolate after a man, 18, from Berala in Sydney visited the restaurant on Sunday and has tested positive for the coronavirus.
"I'd like to have more information if the person is from Berala, which is a hotspot," he said.
"When did they leave Berala [and where they went]?"
Cr Kidd urged residents to follow NSW Health department guidelines.
"Follow the instructions given by the [authorities]," he said.
"If you were there [the restaurant] then you will be contacted to go and isolate and have a COVID test."
Birdie co-owner Leah Morphett said the restaurant had followed strict coronavirus protocols.
As the news broke people commenting on the Central Western Daily's Facebook site also began questioning the situation for the city.
They reignited the debate over whether Orange should be open to so many tourists and visitors from Sydney.
Craig Angus said he was concerned about the number of tourists in Orange.
"Guess [you're] all happy now with all the visitors in town, knew it wouldn't be long before we get it here, guess we will all be wearing masks now," he said.
Aaron Pearson said he was not surprised the person who tested positive was from a Sydney COVID hotspot.
"If this person had symptoms and/or was diagnosed they should have been quarantined, camping trip or not," he said.
Jason Lyne called for compulsory isolation.
"Anyone that's been to Sydney or surrounding areas should have to self isolate for 14 days no ifs or buts," he said.
Other people said the situation was not the Sydney's person's fault and called for calm.
Rohan Williams said: "It's unfortunate but he's actually done the right thing in going in for testing as soon as he received the text message regarding the [Berala] cluster."
Melinda Melinda said: "Come on people, if you social distance, sanitise properly and wear a mask if you're in a crowded area or if you're health vulnerable, you will more than likely be fine," she said.
"We don't need to ban people from visiting Orange for goodness sake."
Others said they expected toilet paper would soon be in short supply if panic buying re-started due following this latest case.
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...