Gosford, NSW: Security guard refuses to let single mum with two young kids into Woolworths

Confronting moment a shopping centre security guard refuses to let single mum with two young kids into a Woolworths store because of lockdown rules

  • Single mother clashed with security guard outside Woolworths on Central Coast 
  • He told mother she would have to leave children at home under lockdown rules
  • He said it was ‘unfortunate’ she didn’t have anyone who could look after her kids
  • In Greater Sydney one person per household can leave for essential shopping 
  • But rules say residents can bring dependent person if they can’t be left at home
  • Shopping centre apologised and said the contractor would not be used again

A single mother has clashed with a security guard outside a Woolworths who refused to let her and her two young children into the store because of lockdown rules.

The security guard at Imperial Centre shopping centre in Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast was filmed telling the mother she would have to leave her children at home if she wanted to shop at the store.

‘If you haven’t got people who can look after your children that’s unfortunate,’ he told the mother during the tense exchange as her kids stood nearby.

‘It is unfortunate and that’s why I have to bring them with me,’ she told the security guard, who worked for the shopping centre as a contractor. 

Only one person per household in Greater Sydney – which includes the Central Coast – is allowed to leave their home each day to shop for essential items. 

Residents though are allowed to bring a dependent person with them such as a child if they cannot be left at home on their own.

But despite the mum’s protests, the security guard told her there was ‘nothing you can do’ if she did not have anyone who could look after her children while she went shopping.

‘Obviously [I don’t have any friends who can look after them] so that’s why they’re with me,’ she said.

‘Tell the police that,’ the security guard responded.

‘You’re making my children uncomfortable,’ the mother said before she eventually gave up trying to enter the supermarket. 

‘You’re ridiculous.’ 

'If you haven't got people who can look after your children that's unfortunate,' he told the mother - citing the rule that only one person per household can leave their home each day for essential shopping

A single mother has clashed with a security guard outside a Woolworths who refused to let her into the store because of lockdown rules

Many commenters on TikTok sided with the mother after she shared video of the exchange on the social media platform under the handle @inkedmumma91.

‘On the NSW Health website it says you can take dependents with you if they can’t stay at home on their own,’ one person wrote.

‘You can bring dependents if you can’t leave them at home to go shopping,’ another said.

Many commenters on TikTok sided with the mother after she shared video of the exchange on the social media platform, but others defended the security guard - who they said was only doing his job

Many commenters on TikTok sided with the mother after she shared video of the exchange on the social media platform, but others defended the security guard – who they said was only doing his job

Others meanwhile sided with the security guard, saying he was doing his job and following the orders given to him.

‘I can see he felt uncomfortable,’ one said. ‘He’s just doing what he was told to do.’ 

‘Maybe order online,’ another said.  

A spokesman for Imperial Gosford told Daily Mail Australia the security contractor had not followed NSW Health guidelines and would not be hired to work in the shopping centre again.

‘The contractor has since been removed from site and will not be returning to Imperial Gosford,’ the spokesman said.

‘Our staff and contractors are expected to observe the NSW Health guidelines, while ensuring that customers feel safe and welcome in our centre. 

‘We apologise that this was not reflected during her visit.’ 

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