Police are investigating and an Ulladulla sports centre was forced to close following an alleged visit from a man from the coronavirus-hit northern beaches of Sydney.
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A 70-year-old man from the northern beaches allegedly attended the leisure centre about 3.30pm on Monday.
A NSW Police spokesman confirmed the South Coast Police District was investigating the alleged breach of the current public health orders.
Shoalhaven City Council reported the alleged incident to police.
Leisure centre staff confirmed on Monday the person had been in the Northern Beaches Local Government Area between December 10 and 19 and told them to leave.
People from the area have been ordered to stay at home and not leave the northern beaches because of a growing cluster of coronavirus cases. Those who had already left when the order was made on Saturday evening must stay at home until at least Wednesday, and while there is an exemption to exercise, this should be done outdoors.
"Council staff directed the patron to leave the council-premise immediately," it said in a statement.
"Council reported the breach to NSW Police and sought advice from NSW Health. As a precautionary measure, council will close the Ulladulla Leisure Centre whilst the NSW Police are investigating the breach."
Residents expressed their frustration on the centre's Facebook page at the person's actions.
"Why would they even risk contaminating our small town ... selfish people," said one. Others labelled the person an "idiot" and desire for them to be fined or "locked up". Others praised the centre's staff for their actions.
There was widespread confusion on the South Coast on Sunday as the entire Illawarra-Shoalhaven region was included in the NSW and ACT's list of COVID-19 affected areas. Both governments retracted that on Monday morning, with only the Wollongong LGA still included.
However, scores of ACT residents rushed home to avoid quarantine as new measures were imposed causing an exodus and uncertainty for accommodation providers who had been preparing for one of their busiest seasons yet.
There are 83 infections linked to the northern beaches cluster after a further 15 infections were added on Monday. The NSW Premier is expected to announce that latest numbers at 11am on Tuesday.
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