More Illawarra schools and businesses have closed as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow in the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ariel's North Beach said a staff member tested positive for COVID, and urged customers who attended on Tuesday April 31 between 6am-10.30am, Friday September 3 from 6am-11am or Ariel's Wollongong Station on Thursday September 2 from 6am-2pm to get tested and isolate.
Woolworths Corrimal sent out an alert and underwent a deep clean after a customer with COVID-19 visited the store on September 2, 10.55am to 11.05am, and August 3 at 9.17am to 9.20am, 12.05pm to 12.20pm and 3.35pm to 3.50pm.
In Tarrawanna, Meadow Street Grocers and Deli announced it would temporarily close due to a positive COVID case attending the store on Saturday, September 4.
Three Illawarra schools also closed to undergo deep cleaning after they were attended by COVID positive cases.
St Therese West Wollongong Public School closed on Wednesday, after contact with a COVID-19 case.
Cringila Public School staff and students have been asked to self-isolate and follow the NSW health advice, after a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19.
St Brigid's Catholic Parish Primary School, Gwynneville, was also closed for cleaning after a positive case attended the Out of School Hours Care service based at the school.
The Catholic Education office and NSW Department of Education spokesperson continue to work closely with NSW Health to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff is maintained.
Parents are encouraged to keep their children home unless there is a need for them to be at school.
The closures came as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday announced 1480 new COVID cases in NSW, and nine deaths.
A record 34 of those cases are from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District. Of these, 24 residents live in Wollongong, seven in Shellharbour, two in the Shoalhaven and one case is under investigation in Kiama.
Meantime, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro dashed the hopes of any Shellharbour and Kiama residents who thought lockdown restrictions may ease this week.
Although both areas are designated regional, Mr Barilaro said consistent case numbers meant there would be no change, even if other regional areas had restrictions eased from September 10.
"Those local government areas consistently have a number of cases, and given the 14 day incubation period, no I can't see restrictions being lifted this week," he said.
An announcement will be made on Thursday about where restrictions will be lifted.
Mr Barilaro also told the regional press conference said he was still "umming and ahhhhing" about whether travel from Sydney to the regions would be allowed when the 70 per cent vaccination benchmark was reached.
"Ideally it would only be for travellers who are double-vaccinated going to businesses where staff are also double-vaccinated," he said. "But we're still waiting for the best health advice on that."
Almost three-quarters of NSW residents aged 16 and over have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District announced two pop-up clinics will be available on Thursday. These clinics, in Berkeley and Bellambi will be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to people aged 18 and over, with no appointment needed.
The Berkeley Community Centre at 40 Winnima Way will host a clinic from 9.30am to 3pm on Thursday. The Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre at 49a Cawley Street, Bellambi will host a clinic from 9.30am to 3pm on the same day.
The Illawarra Mercury news app is now officially live on both iOS and Android devices. It is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play.