Covid exposure sites: Marciano’s Cakes, Off Ya Tree, Dan Murphy

Staff at a cake shop in Melbourne’s west say they found out in the media, not from DHHS, they’d been named a COVID-19 exposure site.

Marciano's Cakes in Maidstone was named a possible COVID-19 exposure site on Monday after an infected quarantine worker visited the store. Picture: Google Maps

Staff at a cake shop in Melbourne’s west say they found out in the media and not from the department of health that they’d been named an exposure site for COVID-19.

Marciano’s Cakes in Maidstone was declared a potential exposure site shortly before 1am on Monday in a statement released by the Department of Health and Human Services on Twitter.

A quarantine hotel worker, who works at the Holiday Inn at Melbourne Airport, visited the store on Friday afternoon.

The woman later tested positive for the virus when she arrived at work on Sunday.

She also developed symptoms.

In a post to Facebook on Monday morning, Marciano’s Cakes staff said they had woken to the news their business, staff and customers were potentially exposed to the highly infectious coronavirus.

They said they were unsure of what to do and had not been contacted by DHHS staff, but had closed both their stores at 126 Mitchel St, Maidstone, and 1481 Centre Rd, Clayton, as a precaution.

“We have just found out about a positive Covid case attending our Maidstone store. We have not been contacted about this, so we are unsure what is going on,” the store’s post read.

“Therefore, as a precaution we have decided to close both our stores for the safety of our customers.

Others congratulated the store on its decision to close temporarily.

Facebook users said it was disgraceful the store wasn’t alerted by DHHS.

“Everyone please be kind as we continue to work through this difficult situation as a community.”

They included in their post a screenshot of a media alert containing the DHHS notice.

Loyal customers responded to the store’s post, writing it was disappointing Department of Health and Human Services contact tracers had not reached out to the business.

“It is a shame you found out like this. Please take care and safe (sic). Please know as your loyal customers we will always support your business,” one customer wrote.

“It’s pretty poor you find out via radio or TV. Stay safe,” another customer wrote.

Others congratulated the store owner’s decisive decision making in closing both stores.

According to a Department of Health and Human Services alert, anyone who visited the Maidstone store between 9.45 and 10.25am on Friday, February 5, must immediately isolate for 14 days and get tested.

Other exposure sites named were Dan Murphy’s in Sunshine on Friday, February 5, between 5.50 and 6.30pm, and Off Ya Tree Watergardens, Taylors Lakes, between 1.17 and 1.52pm on Saturday, February 6.

The quarantine worker who tested positive was being interviewed by DHHS officials on Monday.

The new case comes just days after a 26-year-old Noble Park quarantine worker at the Grand Hyatt tested positive.

A DHHS spokesperson said alerts about possible virus exposure sites were made as soon as possible in an effort to stop the infection spreading.

“We always attempt to contact businesses and facilities before they are listed. In this case, the department attempted to contact the store on its listed numbers late (on Sunday night), before the site was published just after midnight,” the spokesperson said.

“We thanks Marciano’s Cakes for their quick response and doing their part to keep their staff, customers and the Victorian community safe.”

Information provided by the department noted staff members at Marciano’s Cakes were tested and isolating according to public health advice.

The department will follow up with close contacts.