At approximately 4pm on Monday, the 31-year-old staff member was at work at the drive-through COVID-19 testing site on Kissing Point Road, Dundas, when she was approached by a man who was not wearing a mask.
The man began filming the worker on his mobile phone and was “verbally abusing” her about vaccinations, according to NSW Police.
The man then allegedly took off the woman’s mask and punched her in the head.
Several people queuing for tests emerged from their cars to help the woman.
The man ran from the scene and officers from the Cumberland Police Area Command were called and immediately began an investigation.
The woman was treated at the scene and did not need to be taken to hospital.
Police have now identified the man, who is helping them with their enquiries.
At the August 11 COVID-19 press conference, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said the incident was “totally unacceptable”.
“Police will allege a man came up to one of the workers going about her tasks, pushed a telephone into her face, dislodged her mask, then struck her in the face, said some horrible things, and then left the scene.”
Sydney COVID testing staff – especially those in western Sydney – are already under enormous strain, with testing numbers at record levels. On August 10, nearly 120,000 tests were conducted state-wide.
Last month, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Sydney to oppose lockdowns and the government’s vaccination passports.
They carried signs bearing slogans such as ‘My body, my choice’, and calling for ‘Freedom’ and ‘The truth’.
Chaotic scenes of fire breathers, protesters punching police horses, and scuffles with police attracted headlines around the world.
Most protesters did not wear masks.
Similar protests are occurring around the world, including in London and Paris.
