Revealed: Locations where Covid patient went on Northern Rivers

There are now three confirmed Covid cases on the Northern Rivers, and some of the locations they visited are coming to light.

Update 5.15pm: NSW Health has updated its advice on Northern Rivers locations visited by a Sydney man who had Covid-19.

The wrong Byron Bay massage clinic was listed yesterday, and has now been corrected.

Anyone who was at Byron Massage at 31 Lawson St, Byron Bay, on August 2, between 10am and 11am, and August 4, between 10:45am and 12pm is a close contact and must get tested immediately, and isoltae for 14 days.

Acting chief executive of Northern NSW Local Health District, Lynne Weir, said: “Following further investigations, Northern NSW Local Health District has been advised of updated information in regards to a close contact venue in Northern NSW”.

“Anyone who attended the below venue at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.

“NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close contact venues with further information. We also make a follow-up call to close contacts to discuss the isolation and testing requirements. If you have not received a text message, please call 1800 943 553,” Ms Weir said.

“A previously reported venue, Byron Massage Clinic in Bay Lane, Byron Bay, was

incorrectly reported as a close contact location, and will be removed from the list.

“NSW Health directly contacts people who have been incorrectly identified as close

contacts, providing them with updated advice about testing and self-isolation.

“NSW Health does not disclose details about venues of concern unless there is a public

health reason to do so.

“When a confirmed COVID-19 case attends a public or private venue while possibly

infectious, NSW Health carries out a risk assessment on that venue to determine

whether other people may have been exposed, and whether there is a public health

risk.

“NSW Health appreciates the cooperation of people who have been diagnosed with

COVID-19 as we conduct contact tracing to keep the community safe.

“Our close contact tracing teams work hard to protect the community during what is an

extremely challenging time for everyone.

“Contact tracing relies on a variety of information, including case interviews, and data

collected by QR codes.

“As these investigations continue, information becomes clearer and some venues may

change.

“We encourage people to check the NSW government website regularly for the most

recent information such as dates, times and locations: http://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/nsw-covid-19-case-locations/exposure-locations.

“If anyone believes they have reliable information about potential locations where the

COVID-positive case has visited, they should phone the Public Health Unit on 1300

066 055.

“We encourage people to continue to be on alert for symptoms of COVID-19 and to

come forward for testing as soon as they appear.

“At present, there are stay at home orders in place across four Local Government Areas

to further protect the community and reduce the chance of undetected cases moving

around the region. We strongly urge everyone to continue to abide by these

restrictions, and thank the community for their actions to date.”

Update Thursday 4.30pm: The NSW Health’s list of exposure locations on the Northern Rivers has been updated, and questioned by a business owner.

The owner of Byron Massage Clinic was heartbroken to discover her business on the list, and denied the man had visited her clinic.

NSW Health has not yet changed its advice.

It has changed its advice about a service station however.

The service station visited on Saturday August 7 at 11.45am - 12.15pm was the Caltex Woolworths/EG Petrol Byron Bay, at 76/78 Shirley Street.

If you were at that location at that time, get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days.

Update Wednesday 5pm: New venues of concern have been added to the list of locations visited by a man from Sydney who has Covid-19.

Lynne Weir, Acting Chief Executive Northern NSW Local Health District, said however there were no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported among residents of Northern NSW Local Health District.

Northern NSW Local Health District has been notified of new venues of concern and updated information for close-contact venues in the region.

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result. NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close contact venues with further information. We also make a follow-up call to close contacts to discuss the isolation and testing requirements. If you have not received a text message, please call 1800 943 553.

Newrybar

• Harvest, Newrybar, 18-22 Old Pacific Hwy Newrybar

Sunday August 1, 7.30-7.45am

and Saturday August 7, 9:15 – 10:15am

Bangalow

• Foodworks, Shop 2/2 Byron St, Bangalow

Monday, August 2, 9.45 – 11.15am

• Bangalow Pharmacy

23 Byron Street, Bangalow

Thursday, August 5, 11am – 11.30am

and Friday, August 6, 11- 11:30am

• Butcher Baker Cafe

13 Byron St, Bangalow

Thursday, August 5, 11.15 – 11:45am

• Sparrow Coffee

1A/32-34 Byron St, Bangalow

Thursday, August 5, 6:45 – 7:15am

Byron Bay

• Byron Massage

31 Lawson St, Byron Bay

Monday August 2, 10am – 11am

and Wednesday August 4, 10.45am – 12pm

• Westpac ATM, 73 Jonson St Byron Bay

Tuesday August 3, 1.30 – 1.45pm

• Success Thai Food

3/31 Lawson St, Byron Bay

Tuesday August 3, 1.15 – 1.45pm

• Woolworths Byron Bay

106 Jonson St, Byron Bay

Wednesday, August 4, 2.30 – 4.00pm

and Saturday, August 7, 12:45 – 1:45pm

• Byron Bay General Store

26 Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay

Wednesday, August 4, 7:45 - 8:15am

• Izakaya Gallery KURA,

8/4 Bay Lane, Byron Bay

Friday August 6, 5:30 – 6pm

• Success Thai Foods

3/31 Lawson St Byron Bay

Friday, August 6, 4:45 – 5:15pm

• ZAZA Kebabs

8/4 Jonson St, Byron Bay

Saturday, August 7, 12 – 12:30pm

• Ampol Service Station

76/78 Shirley St, Byron Bay

Saturday, August 7, 11:45 – 12:15pm

• OZIGO Carwash

Bayshore Dr, Byron Bay

Saturday, August 7, 11:30am – 12pm

• Japonaise Kitchen

2/25-27 Lawson St, Byron Bay

Saturday August 7, 4:30 – 5.00pm.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate at any time, you

must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW

Health website.

NSW Health does not disclose details about venues of concern unless there is a public

health reason.

When a confirmed COVID-19 case attends a venue while possibly infectious, NSW

Health carries out a risk assessment on that venue to determine whether other people

may have been exposed, and whether there is a public health risk.

NSW Health takes proactive steps to contact all close contacts of the case, to give

advice on testing, isolation, symptoms to be aware of, and their level of risk.

All people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 self-isolate to ensure there is no ongoing

risk of infection to others in the community.

Close contacts are asked to get tested, and complete 14 days’ self-isolation, even if

their initial test result is negative.

It remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a

person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately. When testing clinics are

busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you

have symptoms or are a contact of a case.

COVID-19 Testing Update

We want to thank everyone who has come forward for testing in the past few days. It

is such an important part of our community response in terms of identifying new cases

and tracking where the virus may have spread.

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On Tuesday 10 August, more than 3000 tests were conducted at NSW Health and

drive through clinics across the District, with many more conducted at other GP and

respiratory clinics in the region.

This comes on top of sustained high testing rates over recent weeks, with 9,177 tests

conducted among NNSWLHD residents for the week of 1-7 August.

All the local testing clinics and their opening hours are listed on the NSW government

website at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-

others/clinics or, you can also contact your GP.

Update 4pm: Locations visited across the Northern Rivers are starting to be revealed, and some of them remain closed today for deep cleaning.

Harvest is currently closed.

Foodworks at Bangalow is open.

The Bangalow Pharmacy is open, but people are being asked to wait outside to be served.

The Foodworks at Bangalow.

Original story: There are now three people with Covid on the Northern Rivers, and some of the locations they visited are now coming to light.

The two new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Northern NSW today were both close

contacts of the man in his 50s reported yesterday.

All three cases were currently being cared for at Lismore Base Hospital, and all were in a

stable condition.

To date there have been no additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents of Northern NSW Local Health District.

Northern NSW Local Health District has now been advised of the following close contact locations in the region:

Japonaise Kitchen in Lawson Street, Byron Bay.

Byron Bay

Woolworths, 106 Jonson St Byron Bay 2481. Wednesday, August 4, 2:30 – 4:00pm.

Japonaise Kitchen 2/25-27 Lawson St Byron Bay 2481. Friday, August 6. 17:00 – 17:30.

Bangalow

Foodworks, Shop 2/2 Byron St Bangalow 2479. Monday, August 2, 9:45 – 11:15

Bangalow Pharmacy, 23 Byron Street Bangalow 2479. Thursday, August 5. 11:00 – 11:30.

Bangalow Pharmacy, 23 Byron Street Bangalow 2479. Friday, August 6. 11:00 – 11:30

Newrybar

Harvest Cafe, 18- 22 Old Pacific Hwy Newrybar 2479. Saturday August 7, 9:45 – 10:20.

Bangalow Pharmacy has been listed as a Covid exposure site.

Anyone who attended the above venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.

NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close contact venues with further information.

NSW Health also makes a follow-up call to close contacts to discuss the isolation and testing requirements. If you have not received a text message, please call 1800 943 553.

As this situation evolves, these locations may be updated.

Harvest Cafe at Newrybar.

Under the current stay at home orders in place until 12.01am Tuesday August 17, people in the four local government areas of Byron Shire, Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.

They cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends. These rules apply to anyone who has been in these local government areas on or after Saturday July 31.

If you must leave home, stay within your local area. Do not travel outside your local area if you can avoid it, and limit physical contact with people you do not live with.

Reasonable excuses to leave home are:

• To obtain food or other goods and services in your local government area, within 10km of your home if reasonably

practicable

• for the personal needs of the household or for other household

purposes (including pets)

• for vulnerable people

• only one person per household may leave the home to obtain food or other goods and services each day (you may take a dependent person with you if that person cannot be left at home on their own)

• leave home to go to work if you cannot reasonably work from home and the business is allowed to be open

• leave home for education if it is not possible to do it at home

• exercise and take outdoor recreation in the local government area you live in or 10km from your home

• go out for medical or caring reasons, including obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination.

Woolworths at Byron Bay.

More detailed information about the Stay at Home Orders, including a list of businesses

that are closed, is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affected-regions

Hospital visitor restrictions tightenedhttps://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affected-regions.

Visitor restrictions are being tightened at the health facilities within the four LGAs under stay at home orders: Byron Shire, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Ballina.

Visitors are not permitted at facilities within these LGAs, unless they receive an exemption from the health facility.

An example of an exemption would be for compassionate reasons related to a patient receiving end of life care.

Any visitors who receive an exemption will need to comply with the entry and screening requirements, including checking in with QR codes and wearing a mask.

Women accessing birthing services can nominate one support person during labour, birth and post-delivery.

These changes do not apply to hospitals and health facilities in the LGAs not included in the stay at home order.

For exceptional circumstances the health department encourage visitors and families to discuss their individual needs with staff.

Lynne Weir, acting chief executive Northern NSW Local Health District, said: “We know these restrictions can be challenging, and we appreciate your understanding during this time”.

“Don’t delay getting tested,” Ms Weir said.

“We urge people to come forward for testing at the first sign of any COVID-19

symptoms.

“Already in the first 24 hours since this case was identified, we have seen increasing

numbers of people presenting to our testing clinics.

“There are more than 25 testing clinics across Northern NSW, and you do not need a

referral to get a test. COVID-19 testing is free”.

All the local testing clinics and their opening hours are listed on the NSW government

website at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-

others/clinics or, you can also contact your GP.