The owners of an Albion Park Rail go karting business have been left reeling after it found out via the media that a positive case had visited the venue days prior.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
C1 Speed Indoor Karting and Laser Tag director Steve Caunt was disappointed to not be notified by NSW Health as many people had hurled abuse over the phone and social media claiming the business had "concealed the truth".
However, Mr Caunt had been open, honest and timely in telling customers as he was updated.
On Thursday, the state health department put out a warning that a positive case, which is linked to the South Western Sydney outbreak which started at the Crossroads Hotel, had been found in a person who dined at Rashays in North Wollongong on July 11 between 7-9.30pm and also attended C1 Speed Indoor Karting and Lasertag, Albion Park Rail between 6-7pm.
On Thursday night, Mr Caunt released a statement saying he only found out about the case, who was asymptomatic, linked to his business via media reports.
"We don't blame the health department," he told the Mercury on Friday.
"We would have liked if there was better communication between them and us.
"I called the department officer and asked 'why I had to see it on the media first'? He said 'the department was trying its hardest but there was a lot it had to do to contact everyone'.
"The department said we had done everything right and there was a low risk of anyone else contracting it."
During a morning press conference, NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the health team would contact C1 Speed Indoor Karting to find out how they could have communicated better.
"We will reach out and provide advice and support the businesses," she said.
However, the Premier Gladys Berejiklian was unapologetic and said, "to be absolutely frank, our biggest issue is to make sure the public knows about these venues as soon as we do so that they can take action".
"If you've been somewhere where there's known cases you need to immediately act and I want to thank the health officials for not only liaising with those relevant businesses but also making sure the public is aware as soon as we're aware of what's going on because our first and foremost priority is to provide that information in real time to the public."
Mr Caunt said he would have liked an email or phone call first, notifying the business a positive case had visited it.
He is asking for people to stop cancelling their bookings and continue to support the business.
"Our message to the public is, continue to come to have fun," Mr Caunt said. "Come in groups and parties and you can be rest assured our business is safe and has the backing of the government, which gave us permission to open.
"Our procedures and protocols did and still do meet the NSW Health department's expectations."
Mr Caunt said on Saturday, all patrons were asked to sign the attendance book, asked COVID-safe questions indicating they had no sings of virus and santised their hands.
After participating in a race, everyone disposed of balaclavas in the waste bin and after hand santising again, left the building without consuming food or drinks.
The business closed as normal and conducted a sanitation as per company procedures, including rotating the helmets and washing balaclavas. Staff are required to wear protective gear and all karts are sanitised after each race.
The business proceeded to trade and sanitise as normal.
However, on Wednesday, NSW Health officers attended the business and did an informal inspection but did not report a positive case had visited the business.
I have had staff in tears, not wanting to go to work because they were bullied by people on the phone.
- Steve Caunt
It wasn't until Thursday that Mr Caunt found out, via the media, that his business was named as a venue where a positive case had visited.
After confirming the report, Mr Caunt wanted to be open and transparent with the public so he posted an update on social media, not wanting to wait for an official health department statement to be released later.
Then there was an onslaught of reaction.
Mr Caunt said the business received hundreds of phone calls from media and the public, many of whom were abusive or rude to staff, with some claiming the business was covering up the case.
"I have had staff in tears, not wanting to go to work because they were bullied by people on the phone. That is terrible," he said.
"I have been 100 per cent forthcoming about this matter to the public and our loyal customers.
"At no time ever did we hesitate to conceal any information.
"At all times we will be up front and honest to all our patrons and during this time of COVID.
"We consider it a privilege to be open for business and we will always take steps to do things better, cleaner and have the health and safety of patrons of our business put first."
Mr Caunt said his staff had also been tested as a precaution.
He said it had been a difficult few months as the business had to close but thankfully had been very busy over the school holidays.
"The school holidays were the most busy we have been in years as many people want to get out and enjoy themselves," Mr Caunt said.
"If we continue to get bad press and people alienate the business then we may need to lay-off staff.
"Management and staff thank those sincerely whom have shown support during this matter."
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Subscribe to our newsletters
