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Anyone who attended the pub owned by the Harvest Hotels groups on August 11 between 10am and 11am is considered a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, it was announced on Tuesday.
On Wednesday Harvest Hotels co-director Chris Cornforth said the three staff members present had so far tested negative.
Another about 15 employees had been stood down as the doors shut, he said.
"I think there's a fair bit of trepidation and concern, wondering how long this will go for and how long the work won't be there," he said.
"So I think everyone's slightly on edge at the moment."
The pub had undergone a first deep clean on Tuesday night and was having a second the next day.
With the state in lockdown and COVID-19 cases growing, Mr Cornforth said he did not know when it would reopen.
"We are looking at the numbers, especially in Dubbo, fairly religiously, and it's not painting the best picture each morning, we listen to the press conference," he said.
"So we are hopeful and optimistic but we don't think it will be certainly any time in the next week or two."
Mr Cornforth, whose company added the Dubbo venue to its stable of hotels at Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Albury in May, reported learning of becoming an exposure site from NSW Health.
He praised the department's handling of the situation.
"We've found them to be very efficient, we've had to deal with them at other venues as well, they're very good to deal with," he said.
"It's quick, it's simple, and they really lead it."
We've found them [NSW Health officials] to be very efficient...
- Harvest Hotels co-director Chris Cornforth
The "15-odd" staff stood down at the closure were relying on government support to get them through, the employer said.
"It's very difficult when you have to have those conversations with staff, there is not a whole lot we can do unfortunately," Mr Cornforth said.
Despite uncertainty about the future, the Harvest Hotels co-founder had a plan.
"Our real aim and focus is number one, making sure our staff are safe, and number two, getting the venue in a position to reopen back to the community so they feel safe when they come back to us," he said.
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