Melbourne visitor with Covid sparks health alert in NSW

New South Wales authorities have issued a health alert for venues in several towns on the south coast and Southern Tablelands after someone who unknowingly had COVID-19 visited from Melbourne.

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New South Wales health officials stop passengers arriving from Melbourne at Sydney’s domestic airport and insisting they sign an online declaration form.

The person appears to have visited the service station attached to the Big Merino and stayed in a campground in Jervis Bay during a visit on May 23 and 24. 

Several other venues in Goulbourn, Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach and Vincentia are affected, including a supermarket, a cafe and a bakery.

https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1399678116730052611

Anyone who crossed paths with the coronavirus patient at any of the following exposure sites must contact NSW Health, get tested and isolate until they receive further advice.

May 23

• Cooked Goose Café, Hyams Beach (formerly Hyams Beach Café), 10am-12pm
• Green Patch campground, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, all day
• Coles Vincentia Shopping Village, 12-1pm

May 24

• Shell Coles Express Big Merino, Goulburn Monday, 10-11.30am
• Trapper’s Bakery, Goulburn, 10.30-11.30am
• Green Patch campground, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, until 9am

The list is likely to be updated as contact tracers investigate the Victorian’s movements.

NSW Health said the person reported the onset of symptoms on May 25 and was tested on Monday, May 31.

They had already returned to Melbourne on May 24, before Victoria’s lockdown kicked in, NSW Health said.

Authorities are spinning up increased testing capacity nearby, including a drive-through pop-up clinic in Huskisson, as they ask anyone who lives in Jervis Bay or has visited since May 22 to be “especially vigilant for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms”.