Numerous children have been forced into isolation for up to two weeks after NSW Health updated its COVID-19 advice for visitors to a Halloween haunted house in Thirroul, an event more than 250 people attended.
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Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club told the community via social media yesterday that new health advice meant anyone who went inside its haunted house on Sunday evening was considered a close contact.
It came after NSW Health discovered that more than one person with COVID had attended the event.
Club president Roy Wakelin-King said most of those who went inside the haunted house were children, while many of the parents chose to stay outside on the promenade.
Close contacts who are fully vaccinated need to isolate for seven days, plus get tested immediately and again six days after visiting the event.
If the second test returns a negative result, the person feels well, and has not come into contact again with a COVID case, they can leave isolation after seven days but must stay away from high-risk settings, such as aged care homes and primary schools.
Those who are not vaccinated must isolate for 14 days, and get tested immediately and again on days six and 12.
The 14-day isolation will likely apply to many of the young attendees, as children under 12 cannot yet get vaccinated.
Those who attended the venue but did not enter the haunted house are still considered casual contacts and must get tested immediately, but can leave isolation once they receive a negative result.
Mr Wakelin-King said the club was working with NSW Health to establish who was a close contact.
He said there were a number of QR codes at the entrance to check in on the night of the event and someone was on the door ensuring visitors were signing in.
He said the club had also posted news of the COVID case on social media as soon as it was made aware.
"We really regret this happening... We're trying to minimise the risk," Mr Wakelin-King said.
The haunted house was the club's first event post-lockdown.
Meanwhile, a child who attends Bulli Community Preschool has tested positive for COVID-19.
The preschool was closed yesterday after its operator, Big Fat Smile, was alerted to the case the night before.
Big Fat Smile chief executive officer Jenni Hutchins said NSW Health had identified Tuesday as the day of exposure, a day when there were 44 children and 15 staff members at the site.
Ms Hutchins said the preschool had put its COVID plan into motion and was working with Department of Education and NSW Health.
Big Fat Smile had already implemented a number of safety measures at its sites, she said, including carbon dioxide monitors, a COVID response team, a window audit, and mandated vaccination for all staff members.
It is not known whether the preschool will reopen today.
St Michael's Catholic School in Thirroul will remain closed today following a case within its school community earlier this week.
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