This was published 3 years ago
Several regional towns on COVID watch after venues named exposure sites
By Rob Sharp
The Department of Health has issued COVID alerts in several Victoria towns, just as most of the state’s regional areas were taking their first steps out of lockdown.
Geelong, Lorne and Daylesford all had venues listed on the department’s exposure list, which has been tracking the state’s COVID-19 cases.
A medical clinic and a cafe in the spa town of Daylesford both confirmed on Friday that they are exposure sites after a positive case visited both venues.
Cliffy’s Emporium in Daylesford said a staff member had tested positive to COVID-19.
Cliffy’s Emporium confirmed in a Facebook post that a staff member had tested positive for coronavirus after working there on September 7. The site was later officially added as a tier-1 site.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience. We will share all relevant information as it becomes available,” the post said. “As you can imagine, it’s an awful situation for the staff member and the team to be in.”
Springs Medical Daylesford also posted a statement, saying it had become a tier-1 exposure site after a positive case visited the clinic.
“We have been advised by the Department of Health that a positive COVID-19 case visited Springs Medical Daylesford 10 Hospital Street on Wednesday 8th September. We have closed our Daylesford clinic for deep cleaning,” it said.
Hepburn Shire mayor Lesley Hewitt said the council learned about the exposure sites late on Friday afternoon. She said contact tracing had already begun.
“Our officers are working with the Health Department to support them in any way they can,” she said. “We want to get on top of it and shut it down.”
Panchos Cafe, also in Daylesford, was also later listed as an exposure site.
Late Friday evening, the Department of Health added dozens of additional sites to the exposure list, including the Stribling Reserve construction site in Lorne.
Workers or visitors to the site on September 6 between 11:45 and 4:15pm are required to get tested and quarantine for 14 days because of its tier-1 status.
A Pharmacy in Geelong and two tool shops in North Geelong have been listed as tier-2 venues.
A full list of the affected venues and times when a COVID case visited the stores can be found here:
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.