27 June 2021
The lockdown on a major Sydney apartment tower has been eased after a mass testing of almost the entire population of the block unearthed no more positive COVID-19 cases.
Now the 500-plus residents of the 40-storey Kings Cross building Elan are back under the same stay-at-home orders as the rest of Greater Sydney, with just the one infected person and five other close contacts all self-isolating.
“Pretty much everyone in the building got tested,” said the chair of the strata committee Dr Claire Hooper. “And no one, apart from the original person, was positive.
“It was an amazing effort from everyone and now everything’s back to normal – almost. Apart from that person and their close contacts, people can leave the building to shop for essentials and exercise, just like everyone else.”
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“The NSW strata sector is calling for greater clarity in public health orders for apartment complexes,” said Karen Stiles, executive officer of the apartment-owners’ peak body, the Owners Corporation Network. “The truth is there is no strata voice at the table.
“This is why we have been calling for a Commissioner for Strata Living. We need someone at the table who understands how apartment buildings and apartment communities work. NSW Health has failed to address the unique needs of apartment complexes when developing orders.”
Sue Williams
Domain