Covid sites Mornington Peninsula: Enchanted Adventure Garden added to official list
More details are emerging about how the virus moved around the Mornington Peninsula. Here’s the story so far.
South East
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A second major Mornington Peninsula tourist attraction has been officially identified as being a Tier 1 exposure site.
The Enchanted Adventure Garden was added to the State Government’s list early Sunday morning, hours after the business had broken the news on social media
The post revealed only that the huge site had been exposed to the virus on May 21.
On Sunday the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the exposure and revealed that a Covid case had been at the Arthurs Seat attraction from 11.25am to 3pm.
Enchanted Adventure Garden posted that after being told it was an exposure site the business had “swiftly moved into action and implemented our robust Covid Safe Response Plan that informed DHHS of all the staff and patrons onsite that day”.
An immediate deep clean would also be carried out.
The Peninsula Hot Springs was the next place to be visited by the virus with the Fingal venue revealing on Saturday that a Covid case had been on site between 3pm and 3.45pm on May 21.
The infectious person attended the Bath House reception area but did not have a booking and was turned away because the site was full.
According to the business they left immediately “significantly reducing potential exposure to staff and guests”.
“Our thoughts are with that person, their family and of course our entire community who are affected as we band together to fight this pandemic across the state,” the business posted.
The business has been quick to reassure customers, posting that in its 16 year history it has “always been stringent in our cleaning and hygiene practices”.
“Our entire site, and particularly high traffic areas are frequently cleaned to protect our staff and guests, and our pools are emptied daily and cleaned before refilling.”
The next stop for the virus was the following day when an infectious person visited Nordie Cafe in Red Hill for a take away coffee on May 22.
That business was added to the official list as a Tier 1 exposure site on Wednesday night after a Covid case visited between 9.09am and 9.34am.
It was closed for a deep clean on Thursday.
SECOND MORNINGTON PENINSULA TOURIST ATTRACTION EXPOSED
Another Mornington Peninsula tourist attractions has been added to the growing list of Covid hot spots in the region.
The Enchanted Adventure Garden has revealed that it was told by the Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday that it had been visited by an infectious person on May 21.
The popular maze and tree surfing venue at Arthurs Seat is yet to be added to the department’s list of exposure sites.
The Peninsula Hot Springs at Fingal was also added to the Tier 1 exposure list on Saturday, eight days after an infections person visited the reception area between 3pm and 3.45pm on May 21.
On Thursday it was revealed that Nordie Cafe in Red Hill was also a Tier 1 exposure site after an infectious person visited on May 22.
Enchanted Adventure Garden posted on social media that after being told it was an exposure site the business had “swiftly moved into action and implemented our robust Covid Safe Response Plan that informed DHHS of all the staff and patrons onsite that day”.
“Our team members who were at work that day have all been personally contacted to get a Covid test today and to self-isolate,” the business posted.
The business did not detail the time of the visit by Covid case.
It confirmed that a deep clean would immediately be carried out.
The hot springs closed for business on Thursday, May 27 and posted a notice on its website and social media advising customers it was “pressing pause on operations from 10pm, May 27 until 8am, June 4”.
Neither the hot springs website or the Facebook page mentioned the addition to the exposure site list.
The website encouraged customers to stay informed of current exposure sites and follow public health advice.
It also include a link to the Department of Health and Human Services exposure list.
‘WE DON’T WANT HAND OUTS’ CAFE”S PLEA
A Mornington cafe owner has made an impassioned plea for support at he struggles to survive yet another lockdown.
Guy Francis stood on the side of busy Mornington Tyabb Road for three hours on Friday morning holding a sign, begging passing motorists to ‘Save my cafe, buy a coffee’.
Mr Francis, who is also a chef, opened Some Guys Cafe in January 2020 with wife Vanessa.
After less than two months trading the fledgling business was hit with the first lockdown.
“It’s really been nothing but lockdowns since that time,” Mrs Francis said.
“But this one is really tough. It’s hard to think that it might be the end of us, but we don’t know how we can keep doing this.”
The couple, who also welcomed their first child in 2020, run a catering business which had also been “smashed” by the lockdowns.
Mr Francis said he was sick of being told; “If businesses cannot survive a seven day lock down then that is their fault”.
“The effect of every restriction and lockdown last long after they have been loosened,” he said.
“Think of every event you have wanted to organise or have had to cancel, this isn’t just money, it is livelihood, jobs, families and people/businesses life long dream that has turned into a nightmare.”
The couple said prior to the announcements of the circuit breaker lockdown on Wednesday they were finally feeling positive.
“We finally saw the light at end of the tunnel, finally catching up on invoices, paying deferred rent, retaining staff, and feeling confident we could get through this. Having hope again.
“We don’t want hand outs, we just want to get on with our lives, support our families and run our businesses.
Mrs Francis said the community had flocked to the cafe on Friday.
“It was a bit overwhelming. So many people came in because they had seen Guy out on the road and wanted to help.”
FEARS FOR UNKNOWN HOT SPOTS
The peninsula is bracing for more Covid hot spots to be revealed after an infectious “out of towner” stopped for coffee at a Red Hill cafe.
Nordie Cafe was closed for a deep clean on Thursday after being told by the Department of Health and Human Services that it was a Tier 1 exposure site.
Owner Tom Portet said all staff connected to the business were being tested.
“Those working on the Saturday when the person with Covid visited have come back negative so far,” Mr Portet said.
He said it was most likely the infectious visitor was in the region for the weekend.
“We are usually busy with out of towners on weekends.”
The tight knit community was also not aware of any locals who had recently tested positive.
The small cafe in a cluster of shops opposite Red Hill Primary School was vigilant about Covid safety.
All customers were required to check in via a QR code and those wanting take away were served outdoors.
“We’re fortunate that the infected person wasn’t here for long and only wanted a take away coffee,” Mr Portet said.
He was also drawing comfort from the fact that the business had been audited by health officials on Wednesday morning and passed every test with “flying colours”.
“We confident that we did everything we could to keep our staff and the community safe,” Mr Portet said.
“But I do worry that there are other businesses that were also visited on the same weekend that don’t know they’re at risk yet.
“It’s hard to believe there won’t be more sites identified in the coming days.
“It was beautiful weather and there were a lot of people from the city in Red Hill.”
Mr Portet did not want to be critical of DHHS staff but questioned why the list of exposure sites named only 79 places on Thursday morning when Acting Premier James Merlino said there were more than 150 exposure sites across Melbourne.
“There’s a lag time there,” he said.
Total Commercial Cleaning Solutions arrived at Cafe Nordie at 9am Thursday to conduct a 12 hour deep clean.
General manager Joanna Baker said Mr Portet had “gone above and beyond” to ensure the business was safe.
“He could have just closed for the 14 days and then reopened without a deep clean,” she said.
“But he had us on site as soon as we could get here and we’ve done the works.”
The clean included misting the cafe with approved chemicals that kill the virus in 90 seconds and putting 25 loads of crockery through the dishwasher.
Cleaner Darren Fulford said the cafe had six sanitising stations and a rigorous Covid-safe plan.
“They also use TGA approved chemicals, which they get from us, in their regular cleaning,” he said.
VIRUS REACHES MORNINGTON PENINSULA
A Red Hill cafe has been identified as a Covid hot spot as fears grow the virus has travelled as far as Portsea.
Nordie Cafe was added to the list of Tier 1 exposure sites on Wednesday night.
The Mornington Flinders Road cafe was attended by a person who has since tested positive to the virus on Saturday, May 22 between 9.09am and 9.34am.
Anyone who also visited the cafe around that time you must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure date.
The cafe is in a small group of shops directly opposite Red Hill Primary School.
In an online statement posted late on Wednesday the cafe said it’s Covid safety plan had been audited on Wednesday morning was “considered perfect”.
“That afternoon we were notified of the case visit five days prior, on Saturday.
“We have maintained sanitisation after every seating, wash hands constantly, and maintain safe distances as best we can.”
The cafe urged people to seek advice from Department of Health rather than providing “ conflicting advice” about the exposure on social media.
“We will do our best to answer your questions – that’s best in an open forum so everyone is on the same page. Thanks for your understanding.”
In Portsea the popular Le Capucin announced late Wednesday that a staff member had visited an exposure site and the business would close until further notice.
“One of our crew members was at an announced hot spot in Melbourne therefore we have taken all necessary precautions and closed the cafe immediately until further notice,” the cafe posted on social media.
“We appreciate your support and hope to be back very soon with the all clear.”
Le Capucin has not been added to the State Government’s exposure list, and no positive cases have been linked to the venue.
Just hours before revealing it was closing the cafe posted a photo online of staff wearing masks saying they were “still smiling”.
Mornington Peninsula testing sites can be found here
They include wait times.
lucy.callander@news.com.au
