Costco says workers from Sydney head office were tested prior to spreading Covid to Hunter

Major retailer Costco has apologised for a Covid outbreak at its Lake Macquarie warehouse, but said Sydney workers were tested before travelling to the region.

Retail giant Costco has apologised for a Covid outbreak at its much-hyped Lake Macquarie warehouse in the weeks before it was set to open.

Hunter New England Health last week revealed an infected worker from southeast Sydney visited the Boolaroo site, prompting its classification as an exposure site.

The Costco cluster has since grown to six cases including two from the Hunter.

It has now been revealed the infection source was a worker from Costco headquarters, sent to train staff ahead of the new store’s opening.

Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone said the company was concerned for the welfare of workers.

In a statement, Costco managing director Patrick Noone said the worker had tested negative for Covid prior to attending the site.

“We had 20 essential staff from our Sydney head office during this last week assisting in training and opening preparation,” Mr Noone said.

“There were 10 other Sydney based employees in the weeks prior that had resided four to six weeks in the Lake Macquarie/Newcastle area.

“This is significantly less staff than we would normally have assisting warehouse workers open a building.

“Prior to new restrictions enacted last Friday, the guidelines were that all employees must test negative for Covid within the last 72 hours before they were approved to visit the site. We followed those guidelines.”

The Costco store was scheduled to open on August 26. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes.

Mr Noone said infection control measures were in place prior to the outbreak.

“We have continued to operate as an essential service in over 12 locations throughout the country for the last 18 months of the pandemic,” he said.

“During this time we have continued to work with the relevant authorities, as well as adhere to all developing Covid restrictions and directions as they are enacted.

“The Lake Macquarie construction project started eight months ago and during this time we have worked to ensure compliance with the NSW Department of Health guidelines.

“We have developed and reviewed our Covid Safety Plan through this time.”

The outbreak has been another hurdle for management, with the planned August 26 opening already delayed because of stay-at-home orders.

More than 700 close contacts are in isolation after the warehouse was deemed a close contact venue.

Costco’s membership office and petrol station – already open to the public – have been named casual contact venues.

Costco Boolaroo is located behind Bunnings. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Noone said the multinational was “very concerned” about the welfare of workers and members amid the outbreak.

“We sincerely apologise to the local community for the effect this has had on the region.

“We continue to work with NSW Health Department to open when it is safe to do so.”

Health officials said the Costco cluster had been a major setback for the region, and could threaten its release from lockdown this week.

Dr David Durrheim said the warehouse setting was ideal for the spread of Covid. Picture: Supplied.

“We are now all sitting on a knife-edge because we know there has been the large Costco exposure and we’ve seen already secondary cases from the individual that came up from southeast Sydney,” public health physician Dr David Durrheim said.

“We know that the next 14 days are critical to understanding how much further transmission there will be.

“This virus can take up to 14 days to announce itself.”

Hunter New England Health has urgently called for the retesting of all casual contacts linked to the membership office and petrol station, located next to but separate from the warehouse.

More than 700 close contacts have been identified. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift.

“In recent days, the outbreak at Costco Boolaroo has grown indicating a strong likelihood that further transmission has occurred and more cases may arise,” Hunter New England Health said in a statement.

“NSW Health previously contacted identified casual contacts with testing and isolation advice.

“This casual contact group retains its classification, however an additional test is required due to the additional risk now associated with this venue.”

No new date has been confirmed for the Costco Boolaroo opening.

The $49 million development will be the retailer’s first NSW location outside Sydney.