Apartment complex gym shut down after 'scared' resident complains to police during Sydney lockdown extension

Apartment on Sydney's Upper North Shore shut its gymnasium after police visit
'Scared' resident in Waitara block complained as Sydney lockdown extended
Lockdown public health orders banned gyms but vague on unit exercise rooms
NSW Health unable to answer apartment question seven hours after enquiry

By Stephen Johnson, Economics Reporter For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:40 BST, 8 July 2021 | Updated: 07:44 BST, 8 July 2021

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A Sydney apartment block shut down its communal gym after a 'scared' resident complained to police as the lockdown was extended.

The Waitara complex on Sydney's Upper North Shore had kept the exercise room and pool open since the lockdown began almost two weeks ago.

NSW Health has banned gyms from operating since a snap lockdown was called on June 27.

But they didn't explicitly mention communal gyms in apartment complexes, which are often empty, creating a grey area of confusion, which bureaucrats were unable to answer more than seven hours after Daily Mail Australia asked in writing.

'To support the restrictions, certain premises are closed to the public in Greater Sydney, including ... entertainment, amusement centres, and indoor recreation facilities (including gyms),' the lockdown rules said.

A Sydney apartment block shut down its communal gym (pictured) after a 'scared' resident complained to police as the lockdown was extended

The high-rise apartment building on Romsey Street had allowed the communal gym to operate since the city-wide lockdown began.

Late on Wednesday morning, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the lockdown would be extended for another week, until July 16.

During her media conference, police officers from the Hornsby local area command entered the 11-storey complex.

'I can confirm that police from Hornsby attended the unit complex at 11.15am yesterday (Wednesday 7 July 2021),' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

The building's duty manager told residents both front office and the communal gym and pool would subsequently be closed.

'The Building Management Office will be closed until the NSW Government lift the current lockdown. This comes after our office was visited by the local police,' a message sent to residents said.

A follow-up message was sent out just after 2pm.

'Until further notice the recreational facilities will be closed,' it said.

A high-rise apartment complex (pictured) at Waitara on Sydney's Upper North Shore had allowed the communal gym to operate since the city-wide lockdown began almost a fortnight ago

'We thank you for your understanding.'

The duty manger told residents police said they would have been fined if the communal gym wasn't closed.

However, a NSW Police spokeswoman said no fine was issued and the apartment was not directed to close the gym.

'No formal action was required,' she said.

Daily Mail Australia understands a 'scared' resident in the complex complained to police.

Clarification has been sought from New South Wales Health, with no answer provided seven hours after a question was emailed.

While public gyms are closed in Sydney, the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains, across the rest of NSW, gyms are allowed to operate provided that dance and exercise classes are restricted to 20 people, with masks worn inside.

Late on Wednesday morning, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the lockdown would be extended for another week, until July 16. During her media conference, police officers entered the Romsey Street building and told the duty manager to shut both the front office and the communal gym and pool

A follow-up message was sent out just after 2pm

NSW recorded 38 local cases of Covid-19 overnight - the largest rise in daily infections in the state in more than a year - amid pleas for Sydneysiders to stay home to stop the highly-contagious Delta outbreak spreading. Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) said only 18 of the new infections had been in self-isolation for the entire time they were infectious - with 11 out in the community 'for a number of days'

Ms Berejiklian said only 18 of the new infections had been in self-isolation for the entire time they were infectious - with 11 out in the community 'for a number of days'.

Another nine cases were self-isolating for only part of their infectious period. NSW Health said 21 of the new local infections are from south-west Sydney.

The state leader looked increasingly rattled as she announced the highest daily increase in infections in NSW since April 2020 - when the first wave of Australian coronavirus infections was tailing off.

There are now 11 Covid-19 patients in New South Wales fighting for their lives in an intensive care ward - three of whom are breathing through ventilators.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant called for higher rates of Covid-19 testing in suburbs where the virus was spreading fastest - including Smithfield, Glenfield, West Hoxton Park, and St Johns Park in the Fairfield local government area in Sydney's west and south-west.