I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! crew member causes Byron, Tweed lockdown

The reality show’s production company confirmed the woman was authorised to travel to the region and was fully vaccinated.

The Covid positive Sydney traveller who sparked a 7-day lockdown for Byron and Tweed regions has been revealed to be a I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! crew member.

The Sydney woman arrived in Ballina over the weekend and travelled to Byron and Tweed regions, forcing the snap lockdown announcement on Tuesday.

The woman was an authorised worker who had both rapid antigen tests and a PCR test before her positive result.

A spokesman for ITV Studios Australia said the production company had been filming I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! in Northern NSW in accordance with Public Health Orders and restrictions, as well as its own comprehensive CovidSAFE plan.

“We can confirm that one of our crew members has tested positive to COVID-19. This discovery was made through the rigorous testing regime implemented by our CovidSAFE plan. The crew member is fully vaccinated and was wearing PPE while at work,” they told The Northern Star.

“All close contacts of the crew member from within the ITV production have been identified.

“ They are being tested and will isolate in accordance with NSW Health’s requirements. ITV is providing crew members with all the support and assistance possible.

“We are working with NSW Health to ensure all necessary steps are taken in relation to contact tracing, testing and further communication to anyone that needs to isolate.”

NSW LHD Executive Chief Lynne Weir at a Tuesday press conference, regarding the recent Covid positive Sydney traveller.

It comes as Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner also declined to comment on reports the traveller was not following stay-at-home orders.

“We will be making inquiries in regards to breaches of any potential public health orders,” he said during a Tuesday Northern NSW Local Health District press conference.

“At this early stage it appears this person has complied with all the current public health orders however, we have detectives from the Tweed/Byron District making further inquiries.”

Byron residents were warned by Northern NSW Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Lynne Weir that more Byron venues were expected to be listed soon as a result of the positive case.

“We believe that Byron Bay will have quite a few sites so that is an area of concern for us,” she said.

“We’re not trying to delay we’re just trying to get the right information out the first time.”

She said Ballina Airport was “vigilant” in contact tracing, partly attributing to its exemption from a lockdown.

“As there has been only the one location in Ballina, I think that influenced the decision not to close Ballina down at this time,” Ms Weir said.

Superintendent Tanner also said the Mycar Ballina was not a venue of concern, following investigations.

“There was report (on Monday afternoon) that there was a potential Covid positive person that had attended the mycar at Ballina. Police have made investigation to that and that has proved to be false, ” he said.

“There is a current investigation underway in regards to that report and inquiries are continuing.”

Originally published as I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! crew member causes Byron, Tweed lockdown