How Ballina airport is responding to Covid-19 scare

Concern has been raised after a man travelled to the facility while infectious, at a time when he was meant to be in isolation in Sydney.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.

Update 9am: NSW Health has update its advice concerning a passenger who arrived at Ballina on July 14, who later tested positive to Covid-19.

People who were at the Ballina Airport arrivals lounge between 11.45am and 12.10pm on Wed 14 July are considered ‘casual contacts’ who must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

The Health department advised people get tested even if you have had a test in recent days.

“If your date of exposure at the listed venues occurred in the past four days, you must get another test on day five from the date of exposure. Wear a mask around others and limit your movements until you get another negative result. You should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again,” the department’s statement read.

Original story: Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has responded to the revelation a Covid-19 positive passenger travelled there on a flight from Sydney on July 14.

“NSW Health has confirmed a Virgin flight travelling from Sydney to Ballina has been added to NSW’s list of COVID-19 exposure sites,” the airport said in a statement.

“NSW Health has advised anyone who travelled or worked on Virgin Flight VA 1139 on July 14 must get tested and isolate for 14 days from the date of exposure, regardless of the result of the test.

“We would like assure all travellers and the general public that the airport is Covid-safe and our health and safety measures remain stringent.

“We will continue to work with the airlines and the NSW Government to ensure the safety of passengers, staff and the community.”

Measures that remain in place at the airport include the mandatory check-in that applies to all workplaces and businesses, check in for all departing and arriving passengers, contactless temperature testing and safety screens at customer service desks within the terminal.

The airport said there had been “increased cleaning and sanitisation of all touch points, counters, tables, chairs, bathrooms, doors and screening equipment” and access to the terminal was restricted to passengers, except where those passengers require the genuine assistance of a carer.

Social distancing is required where possible at the airport, hand sanitisation stations are in place at all terminal entry points and airport staff have been wearing masks.