Byron Bay Covid alert after new cases visit CBD venues

Health authorities have issued an urgent alert after discovering a number of Covid cases, unrelated to a backpacker hostel case, had been active in the Byron Bay community for five days.

Byron Bay is on a heightened Covid watch after it emerged that “a number” of Covid cases visited more than 80 venues in the seaside town in the space of five days.

Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones said the people were infectious in the community between Saturday, November 20 and Thursday, November 25 and had since left the area.

“They are not associated with the Aquarius Backpackers in Byron Bay, and are linked to an existing case outside the district,” Mr Jones said.

He said close contacts were being notified directly by NSW Health.

It comes as thousands of schoolies pour into Byron Bay from Victoria.

“More than 80 QR check-ins have been recorded in association with these cases across the Byron Bay business district, including the West Byron industrial estate and a number of nearby hospitality and tourism venues,” Mr Jones said.

He said people who had been at a venue at the same time as a positive case would receive an alert through the ServiceNSW app.

“Given the high volume of location alerts, Northern NSW Local Health District is encouraging anyone who has been in the Byron Bay area between 20 and 25 November to get tested for Covid-19.

“If you do not have any symptoms, you do not need to isolate while awaiting your test result.”

Meanwhile, a number of guests have started to check out of the Aquarius Backpackers Resort after more than 100 close contacts of a young woman who sparked a Covid lockdown returned negative results.

Supplies are carried into the Aquarius backpackers hostel in Byron Bay during a Covid lockdown on Saturday. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Supplies were being carried into the hostel on Saturday afternoon where 81 guests and staff had been put in quarantine on Wednesday.

The lockdown began after a young woman, who was working and living at the hostel, tested positive to Covid.

Mr Jones said health staff were working closely with guests to determine appropriate isolation settings.

“These options may include remaining at the venue, returning to their place of usual residence, utilising special health accommodation or community support accommodation, or another private accommodation venue.

“A number of guests have already begun to check out.”

He said additional cleaning services, sanitation and personal protective equipment were being supplied to the venue, as well as mental health support.

The district recorded one new Covid case in the 24 hours to 8pm Friday.

The case was in the Tweed region and was a household contact of an existing case.