Three Victorians isolating after visiting Brisbane virus exposure sites

A number of Victorians have been forced to isolate after they visited high-risk exposure sites during a trip to Brisbane.

Black Hops Brewery in East Brisbane has been listed as a coronavirus exposure site.

Three Victorians have been forced into isolation after visiting high-risk exposure sites linked to the Queensland outbreak.

The trio, who are known to each other and travelled together, returned from a trip to Queensland on March 22.

They visited one of the exposure sites in Redcliffe.

“They are now considered primary close contacts of a positive case and are being supported to isolate for 14 days following their exposure,” the Victorian Department of Health said.

“These individuals have been tested, with two of the three tests returning a negative result. One result is still pending and is expected today.”

The secondary close contacts of the trio are also isolating.

It comes as Victorians who visited six “high-risk” exposure sites in Queensland have been ordered to immediately isolate for the next 14 days.

The Victorian Department of Health on Saturday night issued a statement urging all returned travellers who had visited an exposure site to make themselves known immediately.

It comes after Queensland Health released new high-risk exposure sites.

“Anyone in Victoria who attended these venues during the specified times is required to immediately isolate for 14 days and contact the Victorian Department of Health,” a statement read.

The high risk exposure sites, as revealed by Queensland Health, are:

• Shinobi Ramen Noodle shop at Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre between noon and 2.16pm, Saturday, March 20

• Black Hops Brewery in East Brisbane between noon and 2pm, Saturday, March 20

• Green Beacon brewing Co. in Teneriffe between 2pm and 3.12pm, Saturday, March 20

• Eatons Hill Hotel in Eatons Hill between 3.44pm and 5.30pm, Saturday, March 20

• PCYC Lawnton in Lawnton between 7.16am and 8.10am, Monday, March 22

The new sites are in addition to the high-risk exposure site published last week:

• Mamma’s Italian Restaurant at 69 Redcliffe Parade in Redcliffe between 12.30pm and 3.10pm, Sunday, March 21

Anyone who has entered Victoria from the City of Brisbane or Moreton Bay Region since 12 March must immediately self-isolate, get a coronavirus test, and stay isolated until they get a negative result.

The Victorian Department of Health confirmed all the new exposure sites were located within the already existing orange zone.

The department also warned that Victorians told to get tested could face delays, urging people to check the website for locations, opening hours and estimated wait times.

“Due to increased demand some testing locations may be busier than usual so check before you travel to find the best site for your needs,” it said.

At 9.15am on Sunday, there was a 90-minute wait at The Alfred, 60 minutes at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, 55 minutes at Chadstone and 30 minutes at both Aughtie Walk at Albert Park and Banyule Community Health in Greensborough.

Late on Saturday night, the Western Australia government revealed all travellers from Queensland — regardless where they’ve travelled — must be tested for COVID-19 and quarantine for 14 days.

The new directions also apply to those who arrived from Queensland earlier on Saturday.

Premier Mark McGowan said his government wouldn’t hesitate to reintroduce the hard border with Queensland.

“I understand this will cause some inconvenience however my priority is to ensure the health and safety of Western Australians and we will do what is necessary to protect the community,” he said.

Meanwhile, Victoria recorded no new COVID cases on Sunday, with no active infections across the state.

More than 11,700 test results were received in the 24 hours to midnight, the Department of Health confirmed in a tweet.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Three Victorians isolating after visiting Brisbane virus exposure sites