Mystery remains around Chinderah truckie movements

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Ampol Service Centre at Chinderah (formerly Caltex Starmart) has been added to the NSW Covid contact list.

Mystery surrounds the movements of the Covid-19 positive truck driver who visited Chinderah last week.

Richmond MP Justine Elliot and Shadow Minister for the North Coast Walt Secord have urged the state government to release a comprehensive update on the two COVID-19 cases who attended a petrol station at Chinderah near Murwillumbah on the North Coast.

The Chinderah truck stop was listed as a venue of concern on Saturday night.

The alert included the truck drivers’ toilets, showers and lounge, and the food court at 112 Tweed Valley Way on Tuesday July 13, 8.30pm to Wednesday July 14, 7.30am.

“Anyone who attended the following venues on the days and times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since their last day at the site, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health,” the warning read.

As a result the Tweed Shire was placed on ‘orange’ status by Queensland Health on Sunday.

The change in the Queensland health advice means that if a Tweed Shire resident had been to the Chinderah service station during the exposure dates, they would need to quarantine for 14 days if they had entered the state.

Tweed residents trying to enter Queensland who have not been to the Covid venue during the times of exposure must complete a Queensland Travel Declaration, follow the health advice released by their home state or territory before deciding to travel, but will not be required to quarantine.

As a result of the truck stop being listed as a venue of close concern more than 40 people have been placed into isolation.

Further south Coffs Harbour also remains on high alert with a Covid positive person visiting popular pub Hoey Moey on last Thursday.

The movements of the truck driver who visited Chinderah before and after still remain unknown.

NSW Health and NSW Police were contacted and referred The Tweed Daily News to each other for comment.

The Premier’s office has also been contacted and is yet to respond.