Life in lockdown: Coffs MP speaks from hotel as outbreak worsens

“This is the most sudden change in restrictions since this all started.” Coffs MP Gurmesh Singh adjusts to life in isolation.

Coffs MP Gurmesh Singh is currently in hotel isolation in Sydney after being caught up in the COVID-19 scare at NSW Parliament House.

He has tested negative but must remain in isolation until July 6. His wife and two children are at home in Woolgoolga.

“Plenty of other people have had to do this. They (his family) understand, and even if I had come home I wouldn’t be able to see them so it’s probably better and safer that I am here in Sydney.”

It’s his first experience in hotel isolation and he spoke to the Advocate on Sunday.

“It’s my third day and I’ve been too busy to be bored.”

He is seeking clarification on whether or not he can go out for exercise, but for now there’s plenty to keep him occupied.

“It’s been good in a way because I’ve just been able to sit down and concentrate on work without any other distractions...but ask me again in ten days.”

The majority of his work so far has been answering questions from concerned constituents.

“I’ve had questions like: ‘if I transited through Sydney does that count as visiting Sydney’ and the answer to that is no - as long as you didn’t leave the airport.

“There’ve been so many questions and that’s just one of them. I gave up at midnight last night and will get back to it soon.”

Long lines, and at least a two-hour wait at the Covid testing clinic at Coffs Harbour located at 220 on the Pacific Highway.

NSW has recorded 30 new local cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday night, all of which are linked to the Bondi cluster.

The rapidly-spreading outbreak has authorities on high alert.

“This is the most sudden change in restrictions since this all started. With other rounds of restrictions we’ve had a 24-hour lead time but with this one, we had only four hours,” Mr Singh said.

It is his first time in hotel isolation.

“Last year I was at home and was able to work at the Coffs office.”

He has a few books on hand - the first one being Fake Accounts. It’s a novel that follows a young woman who discovers her boyfriend is behind a popular Instagram account which promotes conspiracy theories.

Member for Oxley and Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey with Premier Gladys Berejiklian who visited Urunga in January this year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gethin Coles

Oxley MP Melinda Pavey is at home in Urunga and will also need to isolate.

She posted on Facebook that there’s one family member in particular who has welcomed the news.

“My Covid-19 result is negative, so it’s now a matter of waiting out the 14-day isolation.

“I’m definitely not going to enjoy these next few weeks, but at least there’s one happy camper - Jasper the dog.

“Safe to say it’s the longest and most spoilt period of Jasper’s life coming up - snuggles and pats galore.”

Ms Pavey will continue to work as the Member for Oxley throughout the isolation period, and her office continues to run as normal.