Covid tracers told students not to tell schools they were close contacts

“Very serious issue”: An inquiry has been launched into why the contact tracers made the suggestion, and why the students’ parents were not a part of the discussion.

An enquiry is being launched into contact tracers telling students not to tell their schools they’d been exposed to Covid-19. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

An inquiry has been launched into why Covid contact tracers told students who were close contacts at the Chinderah truck stop not to tell their schools they may have been exposed to Covid-19.

The information was confirmed by Tweed MP Geoff Provest, who had received complaints to his office.

“This is a very serious issue,” he said.

He said he had spoken with the Health Minister’s office, which had launched an inquiry into the incident.

“My strong feeling is even though those young people were close contacts, or considered close contacts, the health contractors should have talked to the parents or guardians,” he said.

More than 40 people, between staff and visitors, have been classified as close contacts at the Chinderah service station Covid venue warning on the weekend.

The Chinderah truck stop was declared a venue of concern between Tuesday July 13, 8.30pm and Wednesday July 14, 7.30am.

Mr Provest said he’d received a number of comments from people in the community stating contact tracers had told students not to tell their schools they were close contacts.

He could not confirm which schools the students attended.

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

“I don’t think its appropriate at all,” Mr Provest said.

“I believe the contact tracers should instruct or speak to a parent or guardian about the severity of it and the restrictions and the requirements you need to do.”

So far none of the people in isolation have returned a positive Covid test.

Mr Provest said he had also spoken with the Education Minister and the Cross Border Commissioner, who were expected to release statements on Thursday.

“This is a chief concern,” he said.

“I advise anyone to get tested.”

He also urged residents to get vaccinated, after receiving his first AstraZeneca jab on Wednesday.

St Joseph’s Banora Point posted on Facebook on Wednesday asking families to tell the school if their student had been identified as a close contact.

“We request that you advise the school immediately should your child or young person be identified by NSW Health contact tracers as a Close Contact and follow the testing and self isolation directions of NSW Health,” the post said.

“The school will work to minimise disruption to these students’ learning through prepared coursework and will keep parents informed during this time.

“If you have not been advised by NSW Health contact tracers to self-isolate you may continue your normal daily activities.”

Banora Point High School made a similarly worded post on Tuesday.