In the public interest.
George Pell, Alan Jones and Tony Abbott dine at an exclusive club just DAYS before it shut after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus
- George Pell, Tony Abbott and Alan Jones dined at the Australian Club on July 22
- Staff member tested positive to COVID-19 after working at the venue on July 27
- The Australian Club has now closed for a deep clean and will reopen on August 4
By CLAUDIA POPOSKI and ZOE ZACZEK FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
PUBLISHED: 17:40 AEST, 1 August 2020 | UPDATED: 18:27 AEST, 1 August 2020
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Sky News presenter Alan Jones and Cardinal George Pell ate at an exclusive club days before a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.
The three high-profile men, described as old friends, met at the request of Cardinal Pell on July 22, according to Sydney Confidential.
The trio are believed to have eaten at the exclusive Australian Club, located on Macquarie Street in Sydney.
Sources for Jones said it was just ‘friends catching up and discussing the state of the world’, the newspaper claimed.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Sky News presenter Alan Jones (pictured, left) and Cardinal George Pell (right) ate at an exclusive gentleman’s club
On Friday, it was revealed the venue would be closing due to a staff member testing positive for coronavirus.
It is not known if the three men came into contact with the staff member.
The dinner isn’t Pell’s only high-profile outing, after all enjoying dinner at with fashion icon Carla Zampatti.
The private gentleman’s club ‘decided to act with an abundance of caution’ and close its doors until Tuesday as it undergoes cleaning.
The employee, who had dined at the Apollo Restaurant in Potts Point, was at the club on Monday July 27 between 6am and 9.30am, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
‘Upon becoming aware that he had been at an eastern suburbs restaurant where another person had tested positive, he responsibly began self-isolation, absenting himself from the club and had himself tested for the virus,’ the Australian Club said.
‘Upon the confirmation of the positive test, all people that have been considered to have been a “close contact” have been advised and are taking the necessary steps and precautions.’
The private club in Sydney’s CBD was founded in 1838 and counts prime ministers, army generals and business leaders among its members.
The private gentleman’s club ‘decided to act with an abundance of caution’ and close its doors until Tuesday as it undergoes cleaning. The employee, who had dined at the Apollo Restaurant in Potts Point, was at the club on Monday July 27 between 6am and 9.30amVideo playing bottom right…Click here to expand to full pageLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:27PauseMuteCurrent Time0:27/Duration Time2:32FullscreenExpandClose
Some of Australia’s top barristers, academics, surgeons and judges are also members.
Under the club’s strict rules, women are only allowed to enter the club and mingle with the country’s elite if they are accompanied by an existing male member.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Australian Club, NSW Health, Alan Jones and George Pell for comment. Read more: