Couple apologise for defying Melbourne's lockdown, taking coronavirus to Gippsland
A regional pub has closed for cleaning and all of its staff are being tested for coronavirus after a couple travelled from Melbourne to Gippsland while awaiting a coronavirus test result.
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A Melbourne couple who left lockdown and travelled to Gippsland while awaiting a coronavirus test result has apologised for putting the community at risk.
The Herald Sun can reveal that locals who interacted with the pair say they have not heard from the state’s contact tracing team, up to four days after one of them tested positive.
The pair was tested for coronavirus but, while awaiting their results, travelled to Orbost and Marlo, visiting several businesses, including a local pub twice.
The couple, which includes a woman in her 20s who tested positive to COVID-19, said in a joint statement: “(we) realise we have made the biggest mistake of our lives leaving Melbourne and heading to a rural town during lockdown in a pandemic.”
“Never did we ever imagine we’d have it, as we have never personally known one single case.
“We are extremely remorseful and sincerely from the bottom of our hearts apologise for all the inconvenience and heartache we have caused.”
It is understood the couple had no symptoms and had travelled to attend a wake, but without permission.
While in town they visited the local pub twice, but Marlo Hotel publican Russell Bates revealed he had not been contacted by authorities four days after being alerted by a mutual acquaintance.
“I showed them to their table and my staff served them and other people food and drinks, but we have had no contact from anyone,” he said.
“We had to contact the local health authority for advice. We rang the coronavirus hotline that took a long time. But we haven’t heard from anyone.
“We don’t have anyone displaying symptoms but we know there is a 14-day incubation period.”
As a precaution Mr Bates closed the pub for cleaning and said 20 of his staff were awaiting test results.
Nationals MP Tim Bull said the community had responded calmly and slammed the response from authorities.
“They have been let down by DHHS, which as of Thursday afternoon had not made contact with the businesses visited by the infected person,” he said.
“This is not good enough.
“We know the contact tracers received all the information on Monday afternoon, but the half a dozen businesses have not even had the courtesy of a call.”
Premier Daniel Andrews has repeatedly denied the contact tracing team is under resourced, but earlier this week he announced team numbers had swelled to 2100 people.
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