Tiwi Islands aged care facility staffer went to work the day she flew in from Sydney

A WOMAN, who had just returned from Sydney earlier this week, worked a shift at an aged care facility on the Tiwi Islands before police discovered she was not at her designated place of quarantine, the NT News can reveal

A woman went to work at a Tiwi Islands aged care facility the same day she returned from Sydney this week, the NT News can reveal

A WOMAN who had just returned from Sydney earlier this week worked a shift at an aged care facility on the Tiwi Islands before police discovered she was not at her designated place of quarantine, the NT News can reveal.

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The 26-year-old woman, who works as a fly-in, fly-out worker between Darwin and Bathurst Island at the Calvary Community Care – Mulakunya Flexible Aged Care Nguiu, returned on a flight from Sydney to Darwin on July 14.

According to a source, she then flew to Bathurst Island and completed a night shift at the centre.

Police were then alerted to the fact she was not at her designated quarantine place and escorted her back to Darwin and issued her a $1,106 fine.

“When spoken to she stated she believed it was better for her to return to where she had her own room and facilities than share facilities at a home in Darwin. She has been returned to Darwin to recommence her 14-day quarantine,” NT Police said in a statement.

An NT Police spokeswoman confirmed the woman was found by officers “at a private health facility.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner declared all of Sydney a coronavirus hotspot on Wednesday, July 15, meaning anybody coming to the Territory from Sydney is now forced to spend two weeks in mandatory quarantine at their own expense.

A spokesman from Calvary confirmed the woman attended work after returning from NSW.

“Calvary can confirm that a Support Worker did attend work on Bathurst Island within 14 days following return to the Northern Territory from NSW,” he said.

“On this occasion, travel outside of the Territory was not declared during routine screening, conducted daily for all staff.”

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The spokesman said the worker has since tested negative to the virus.

“In co-operation with health authorities, Calvary immediately isolated the worker and organised transfer to Darwin for the remainder of the required quarantine period. We can report that subsequent testing has returned a negative result,” he said.

“Calvary is working to ensure the latest restrictions in this rapidly changing environment are understood by all staff so to avoid similar incidents in future.”

The NT Department of Health was contacted for comment.