19 Aug 2021

Covid-19: SkyCity identifies 1000 customers and 240 staff as close contacts

12:48 pm on 19 August 2021

SkyCity has identified around 1000 patrons and 240 staff who were in the casino when a Covid-positive case visited the gaming floor.

SkyCity signage

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Covid-19 cases are expected to rise in New Zealand's Delta outbreak and locations of interest have spiralled to around 70 sites.

The potential exposure window SkyCity was between 1.15am to 3am on Saturday, and the staff and customers identified are deemed close contacts.

Public health authorities have advised that all the staff self-isolate, contact Healthline and get tested, SkyCity chief executive officer Michael Ahearne said in a statement

SkyCity is contacting workers staff to pass on the public health advice, the statement said.

The casino estimates about 1000 customers were on the main gaming floor during the time that the positive case visited.

"Public Health Authorities have advised that all customers who were on the main gaming floor at the same time are deemed close contacts and are advised to stay at home, watch for symptoms and get tested," Ahearne's statement said.

SkyCity is closed, with a small number of workers still on site carrying out security and surveillance duties, and caring for a small number of guests at the SkyCity Grand Hotel.

A specialist team will carry out a deep clean of the main gaming floor, all public lifts, handrails, and back of house area will undergo.

SkyCity is continuing to work with public health services to provide necessary information for contact tracing purposes.

New locations of interest were added to the Ministry of Health website today. They are Hoyts Cinemas - Wairau Park, Domino's Pizza Beach Haven, Countdown Takapuna, Remuera Exchange, Z Harris Road Service Station, Movie Monterey Takapuna and KFC Takapuna.

As many as 900 people may have passed through one of the busy central Auckland bars visited by a Covid-positive case on Friday night.

Bar 101 in Elliot St promotes itself online as Auckland's premier student nightclub.

It is owned by the Lawrenson Group, whose chief executive, John Lawrenson, says it was quieter than usual that night.

He estimates about 400 people may have been in the bar at the same time as the case in the two hours from 11.30pm.

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This is an official Covid-19 ALERT.

All of New Zealand is now at Covid-19 alert level 4.

The alert level will be reviewed after 3 days for all areas EXCEPT Auckland & Coromandel Peninsula which is likely to remain at level 4 for an initial period of 7 days.

A community case of Covid-19 has been identified.

Stay at home where possible & follow the Alert Level 4 guidelines. This will stop the spread of Covid-19 and SAVE LIVES.

Everyone is asked to:

Wear a mask and keep a 2 metre distance from others whenever you leave your home.

If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.

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Practice good hygiene - wash hands often.

Services including supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics & petrol stations will stay open at Alert Level 4. Face coverings are mandatory for all people - both employees and customers - at businesses and services operating at Alert Level 4 involving customer contact.

For more information on Alert Level 4 go to [the government website www.covid19.govt.nz]

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