COVID-19 Announcement

On Tuesday 7 September 2021, Wayside Chapel received notification that a visitor who had sought support at our Kings Cross Community Services Centre has tested positive to COVID-19. The visitor was at Wayside Chapel Kings Cross Community Services Centre on Monday 30 August, Tuesday 31 August and Wednesday 1 September.

Wayside Chapel has implemented the strict protocols of the NSW Department of Health to ensure all possible procedures are put in place to minimise risks relating to COVID-19. Wayside is also working with service partners to minimise risks relating to community transmission.

The safety of all staff, volunteers and visitors is the utmost of importance to us.

Effective immediately, as a precautionary measure, all frontline services at Kings Cross and Bondi have closed for deep cleaning from Wednesday 8 September to Sunday 12 September.

All staff, volunteers and visitors who have been onsite at Wayside Chapel Kings Cross and Wayside Chapel Bondi during the period of exposure have been asked to get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

Wayside is currently working with NSW Health closely and contact tracing is underway to try to identify the source of the infection and any close contacts. At this stage the closure for deep cleaning of Wayside Chapel Kings Cross and Bondi will continue until Sunday 12 September, unless deemed otherwise.

Wayside will continue to provide remote care coordination by phone to help people access vital necessities, health, accommodation, legal and Centrelink assistance until we are advised that we can safely reopen.

Wayside Chapel Pastor and CEO says, “From April 2020 to March 2021, Wayside Chapel, deemed as a frontline service, has delivered over 72,331 instances of care to our society’s most vulnerable people including those experiencing homelessness.”

“Over this time, we have planned for a positive case, and today we have taken the immediate precautionary action of closing Wayside Chapel at Kings Cross and Bondi. We send our love to the visitor during this difficult time and continually offer our support for their recovery.” 

“As a precaution all staff, visitors, and partner agencies have been informed and directed to get tested immediately. We are working with NSW Health to ensure all protocols are put in place until we receive more updates and information.”

“I want to assure you that Wayside Chapel will continue to provide love and care throughout this pandemic to the people in need, including those experiencing homelessness and isolation, who are all but forgotten.  We thank the community for their love and support and for standing with us.” 

Any questions, please call (02) 9581 9100 (Mon – Fri 9am -5pm) or email [email protected].