The Singleton Neighbourhood Centre has been closed for deep cleaning, and staff and volunteers have been encouraged to seek a COVID test as a precaution, after a client of the facility told a volunteer that they had visited Sydney in the past week.
The Centre's president, Singleton councillor Sue George, stressed Tuesday evening that there had not been a COVID exposure confirmed at the Centre, and that the decision to close was made out of an abundance of caution to protect staff, volunteers, and clients.
The Neighbourhood Centre regularly provides around 50 meals a day, laundry and shower services for vulnerable people, Cr George said, noting that while it was disappointing that the Centre had to be closed, it was done to "err on the side of caution".
All services provided by the Centre have been suspended until at least Monday, when staff are expected to reassess the situation, Cr George said.
The client, who was found to have visited Sydney last week, attended the Neighbourhood Centre on Thursday and again on Monday. Staff and volunteers were informed around 5.30pm as the Centre was closed for cleaning, and local police were notified, Cr George said.
Simon McCarthy
Simon McCarthy is a journalist working at the Newcastle Herald in NSW. He writes news and features, and produces video and multimedia, for the Herald and Herald Weekender magazine. He contributes regularly to the Newcastle Herald’s daily Topics column, and is the co-creator and producer of the Toohey’s News podcast. McCarthy has worked as a journalist in regional NSW since 2013. He joined the newsroom of the Newcastle Herald in 2017 from the Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he worked from 2015 to 2016.
Simon McCarthy is a journalist working at the Newcastle Herald in NSW. He writes news and features, and produces video and multimedia, for the Herald and Herald Weekender magazine. He contributes regularly to the Newcastle Herald’s daily Topics column, and is the co-creator and producer of the Toohey’s News podcast. McCarthy has worked as a journalist in regional NSW since 2013. He joined the newsroom of the Newcastle Herald in 2017 from the Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he worked from 2015 to 2016.
