Daylesford: Business owner tests positive to Covid

Daylesford has become a “ghost town” after a business owner who travelled to Melbourne tested positive to Covid.

A Daylesford business owner linked to two prominent venues has tested positive to Covid.

The male restaurateur had travelled to Melbourne during the regional lockdown to attend a dental appointment, which is allowed under the chief health officer’s directives.

He tested positive on Friday, is currently in isolation and is co-operating with the Department of Health.

Springs Medical Centre, Cliffy’s Emporium, and Panchos cafe have all been listed as Covid exposure sites.

Anybody who has visited those locations has been told to get tested and isolate for 14 days.

A pop-up drive through testing clinic has opened at Victoria Park.

Albert Guest House owner Ziggy Kelevitz said Daylesford had become a ghost town.

“People up leaving in droves — they are giving Daylesford a wide berth,” Mr Kelevitz said.

“The Main Street is dead, cafes are deserted, we were all geared up for a busy weekend, and now it’s dead.”

Mr Kelevitz feared Daylesford could be locked down.

“It’s sad, very tough for all of us, you get through lockdown, and then things are starting to return to normal, and this is happens,” he said.

“We will get through this together, and our town is full of tough, resilient people.”

Northern Victoria MP Wendy Lovell said hope Daylesford can avoid a Shepparton sized Covid outbreak

Northern Victoria MP Wendy Lovell said it was a terrible situation for Daylesford.

“My thoughts are with the Daylesford community, I hope this doesn’t prove to be a major outbreak like in Shepparton,” Ms Lovell said.

“What this points too is that Daniel Andrews is still failing to keep the virus contained in metropolitan Melbourne.

“The Premier needs to do more to keep cases escaping Melbourne and putting regional Victoria at risk.”