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Facebook's quasi-independent Oversight Board has upheld Donald Trump's suspension, while issuing a rebuke of the social media giant's decision-making process.

The board found the former president's posts during the Capitol riot "severely" violated Facebook's rules and "encouraged and legitimised violence".

But it also criticised the company for violating its own rules by issuing an "indefinite" suspension, stressing it could not "make up the rules as it goes".

READ MORE: Donald Trump launches his own blog in the wake of Twitter ban

https://twitter.com/OversightBoard/status/1389928311174750211

The board issued a six-month deadline to review the decision and make a new ruling.

It listed two options: a time-limited ban or account deletion.

"Facebook cannot make up the rules as it goes, and anyone concerned about its power should be concerned about allowing this," the board said, in a series of Twitter posts.

"Having clear rules that apply to all users and Facebook is essential for ensuring the company treats users fairly. This is what the board stands for."

The company-appointed panel called for a review into Facebook's general "contribution to the narrative of electoral fraud and political tensions that led to the events of January 6" and urged a rethink of the way world leaders and important figures were dealt with.

"The 'newsworthiness' of a public figure's remarks should never take priority over urgent action to prevent harm," the panel wrote.

"Facebook must be far more transparent about how its newsworthiness policy works."

The Californian company was urged to ensure it issued a time-limited suspension or deleted the account of a head of state or high government official if they repeatedly posted messages risking harm under international human rights norms.

That suspension could be extended if the risk remained.

"Restrictions on speech are often imposed by powerful state actors against dissidents and political oppositions," the board wrote.

"Facebook must resist pressure from governments to silence political opposition, and stand up for free expression."

Trump 'severely violated' content standards

The board agreed with Facebook that two of Mr Trump's January 6 posts "severely violated" the content standards of both Facebook and Instagram.

"We love you. You're very special," he said in the first post, and "great patriots" and "remember this day forever" in the second.

Those violated Facebook's rules against praising or supporting people engaged in violence, the board said.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt, a former Danish prime minister who sits on the board, said in a conference call with reporters that Facebook shirked its responsibility to enforce its own rules.

"Facebook should either permanently disable Trump's account or propose a suspension for a specific period of time," she said.

The board said if Facebook decided to restore Trump's accounts, the company must be able to promptly address further violations.

A Trump spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

What is the Facebook Oversight Board?

The board, which has 20 members and will eventually grow to 40, did not reveal how it voted.

It said a minority of members emphasised that Facebook should require users who seek reinstatement after being suspended to "recognise their wrongdoing and commit to observing the rules in the future."

The social media giant had asked the board to make a final ruling on whether it was justified in indefinitely suspending Mr Trump from its platforms after he incited supporters to storm the US Capitol in January.

Facebook set up the oversight panel to act as the ultimate referee on content decisions, amid furious criticism about its inability to respond to a tide of misinformation, hate speech and other harmful content.

The board is empowered to make binding rulings on issues such as whether posts or ads violate the company's rules.

The social media giant regularly takes down thousands of posts and accounts.

Since it was launched in October, the board has received some 300,000 appeals from users over content decisions but it's prioritising cases that have the potential to affect many users around the world.

It has overturned decisions in five of the seven cases it has ruled on so far.

Mr Trump has also been permanently banned from Twitter.

– with Associated Press

The list of Sydney venues visited by an infectious COVID-19 patient has grown further to include a golf club, a gym, a chemist and a supermarket.

NSW Health on Wednesday night expanded the health alert to almost 20 venues and revealed fragments of the coronavirus had been detected in the Marrickville sewage network, servicing about 42,000 people.

Authorities urged residents of Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, Summer Hill, Lewisham, Ashfield, Haberfield, Petersham, Lilyfield and Leichhardt to be "especially vigilant" in monitoring for symptoms and getting tested.

READ MORE: NSW records one new community case of COVID-19

The man, aged in his 50s, had been "very active in the community" before he tested positive to the virus, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklin said.

He visited a cafe in Paddington, an optometrist in the city, a cinema and four barbeque stores over the weekend.

On Monday, he went to a gym and a cafe in Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter before spending the evening at The Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Then on Tuesday, he spent time in Brookvale, Collaroy, Balgowlah and Double Bay, visiting a chemist, supermarket, rug cleaning business and two homewares shops.

Anyone who attended one of the following venues at the times specified is asked to immediately get tested and isolate until NSW Health provides further information.

Friday, April 30:

– District Brasserie, Chifley Square, 11am – 11:45am

– HineSight Optometrist, Sofitel Sydney, Wentworth, 12pm – 1pm

– Barbetta, Paddington, 1:30pm – 2:30pm

– Screening of The Courier at Event Cinemas, Westfield Bondi Junction, 6pm – 8pm

– Figo Restaurant, Rushcutters Bay, 8.45pm – 11pm

Saturday, May 1:

– Joe's Barbeques & Heating, Silverwater, 1pm – 1.45pm

– Tucker Barbecues, Silverwater, 1pm – 1.45pm

– Barbeques Galore, Annandale, 2pm – 3pm

– Barbeques Galore, Casula, 4pm – 5pm

– BP Mascot, Botany Road, 4.30pm – 5pm

Sunday, May 2

– The Meat Store, Bondi Junction, 3pm – 4pm

Monday, May 3

– The Stadium Club, Moore Park, 11.30am-12.30pm

– Azure Café, Moore Park, 12.30pm-1pm

– The Royal Sydney Golf Club, Rose Bay, 5.30pm-9pm

Tuesday, May 4

– Rug Cleaning Repairs Hand Rug Wash Sydney, Brookvale, 12.30pm-1pm

– Alfresco Emporium, Collaroy, 1pm-1.30pm

– SMITH MADE, Balgowlah, 2.30pm-2.45pm

– Chemist Warehouse, Double Bay, 3.45pm-4pm

– Woolworths, Double Bay, 4.05pm-4.15pm

The man, who authorities said hadn't returned from overseas, worked in border roles or interacted with the hospital system, used QR codes to check in and out of venues, making contact tracing easier.

"This person did everything right, but it goes to show we can't take anything for granted," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

The man was initially tested on Tuesday but thought to have been infectious since Friday, April 30.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was "a very clear reminder" of the risk of coronavirus remains.

He urged residents to get tested regardless of whether they had been vaccinated or not.

"People in the eastern suburbs particularly should be listening to these messages and getting tested," Mr Hazzard said.