Bathurst Regional Council might look at placing restrictions on who can come to Bathurst after a visit from Bankstown sports teams sparked widespread community concern.
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Four teams of junior soccer players from Bankstown City Football Club travelled to Bathurst on Saturday to play in their respective competitions.
Football NSW confirmed on Monday that none of the club's players had COVID-19. They were temperature tested before departing Sydney and followed all protocols.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said the situation had certainly given the community something to think about.
"With Bankstown coming, it makes us more aware of what could happen in COVID-19," he said.
"I've already asked the general manager to give us some feedback on it."
He said the local member, Paul Toole, has provided council with advice that it can itself introduce other measures to further protect the Bathurst community.
"I think that's something that myself and the rest of the councillors will look at at the next meeting," Cr Bourke said.
"I don't think anything was out of place with [Bankstown City FC] coming, but as we continue down this COVID-19 road we've got to be aware of what's going on ... what can council do, and I think we'll have that talk next time we're together."
He said one thing council could potentially do is "put some restrictions on people coming from hotspots", saying "I think it is something we've seriously got to look at".
Any decisions made along those lines would be aimed at keeping Bathurst virus-free, which it has been since late April.
"I keep having a look at what's going on in Sydney and these hotspots. It should be those people staying put where they are, but if they are getting through the cracks, then we need to shut those cracks up and tell them 'No, you can't come here'," Cr Bourke said.
Mr Toole told the Western Advocate that introducing further measures was possible, but it would be a decision for council to make for its venues and events.
That decision will be very important given that the city has a major event coming up, the Bathurst 1000.
Cr Bourke said that decisions around spectators for that event haven't been made yet.
"I think there will be limitations on who comes to the 1000. I'm leaving that up to Supercars, I haven't had the opportunity to talk to them yet on where they are at; it's a big decision they've got to make," he said.
While Mr Toole doesn't believe it's necessary at this time to cut off regional NSW from Sydney, as NSW is seeing low case numbers, he said it was important to remember that it was still a very serious situation.
"The dangers of COVID-19 are real; people should not become complacent. There are rules that are in place and if we all do the right thing then we won't have to shut the state down," he said.
With regards to sport, he said the NSW Government has strict guidelines in place around community sport, but groups could introduce more measures if they wanted to.
These measures include cancelling competitions, not travelling to Sydney and not allowing teams from hotspots to play locally.
