A couple who travelled from Victoria through the NSW while infectious with COVID-19 have presented a “real and present danger” to the communities and places that they have visited according to Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
Before entering Queensland, the infectious couple visited cafes, a cinema, thermals, and a pub from Central West NSW, Dubbo and Moree.
Queensland health authorities have confirmed that the husband has also tested positive for the virus this morning while his wife tested positive on Wednesday.
The couple is yet to provide an explanation as to why they left the lockdown in Melbourne. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that he is very concerned about the situation.
“The message broadly to our regional communities is be on high alert, this is a real and present danger to us, having people who are positive, travelling through our state stopping at multiple venues puts our state at risk,” Minister Hazzard said.
“If they’ve simply thumbed their nose at the law, and the public health orders that are put in place to keep us all safe, then obviously what has to be considered … by the Queensland authorities, is whether or not they will take action against them,” he added.
Minister Hazzard said that the Queensland health authorities are interviewing the couple and would face more questions later today to clarify where they went while in NSW and for how long.
The Minister said that there will be more areas of concern identified across the state.
Queensland Police have said that they will investigate whether the couple broke quarantine health directives and that they have not received any exemption to travel according to chief health officer Jeanette Young.
Health authorities have said that the couple might have been infectious since June 1 and June 5.
NSW health authorities has advised that anyone who were present on these venues to get tested immediately:
- Caltex Narrandera, Gillenbah, June 1 at 10:30am to 11:00am
- Vandenberg Hotel, Forbes, June 1 at 6:00pm to 10:00pm
- Brew Coffee Bar, Forbes, June 2 at 7:00am to 10:00am
- Shell Petrol Station, Dubbo, June 2 at 10:30am to 11:30am
- Church Street Cafe, Dubbo, June 2 at 11:30am to 2:30pm
- Reading Cinemas Dubbo, June 2 at 6:00pm to 10:00pm
- Homestead Motel, Dubbo, June 2 at 12:00pm and June 3 at 10:00am
- Gwydir Carpark/Motel and Thermal Pools, Moree, June 3 at 1:45pm
- Woolworths Moree, June 3 at 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Gwydir Carpark/Motel and Thermal Pools, Moree, June 4 (all day)
- Gwydir Carpark/Motel and Thermal Pools, Moree, June 5 at 7:30am
- Cafe Omega, Moree, June 3 at 1:30pm to 4:30pm
- Cafe Omega, Moree, June 4 at 7:00am to 9:30am
- Cafe Omega, Moree, June 4 at 11:50am to 2:00pm
- Amaroo Tavern, Moree, June 4 at 4:30pm to 11:00pm
Based on a city where the mountain meets the sea and where antique houses line the streets, my mind is free to wonder, to wander and to write.
