Plough and Harrow Bakery in Sanctuary Point reopened their doors on Monday, reporting the usually busy shop is "dead quiet" after being listed as a COVID exposure site last week.
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Plough and Harrow was confirmed as a COVID-19 exposure site by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District on Friday.
Initially, NSW Health had contacted and listed Sanctuary Point Bakery on their website as an exposure site last Thursday, which was later confirmed as incorrect by the ISLHD.
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Owner of Plough and Harrow Sonia Wykniet said she understood it was an "honest mistake" by NSW Health, but added she believes the exposure site listing has slowed trade for many businesses on Paradise Beach Road.
"I think they (NSW Health) have got a lot on their plate. And they're probably copping a lot of flack for something that they're doing their best to do," she said.
"But not knowing which business it was has really kicked us in the guts.
"People have got to support small businesses, all of us on the strip are quiet today. This can't go on."
Sonia said while all staff tested negative to the virus and the shop was deep cleaned, she said the store could be "in big trouble" if it remains so quiet.
"We're usually flat out at this time of the day. We would usually have 15 people in five minutes but we have served three today," said Sonia.
"We are lucky ones, we are still able to open our doors.
"But at the end of the day, we've got wages to pay. If today is anything to go off then we could be in big trouble."
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Baking everything fresh daily, Plough and Harrow are a new family-owned business that opened three months ago.
Sonia said since opening during the pandemic, the store undergoes regular extra sanitising to protect customers against the virus.
Sonia said she feels for other businesses affected by exposure site listings and encourages the community to continue to support local shops during challenging times.
"Slowly, I'm sure customers will come back," she said.
Located on 3/12 Paradise Beach Road, Sanctuary Point, Plough and Harrow Bakery are open from 6am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 6am to 3pm on Saturday.
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