Fears Covid-positive removalist who visited Victoria and SA while infected could spread Sydney's outbreak interstate
A Covid-positive removalist from New South Wales has visited both Victoria and South Australia while infected, prompting fears he may have triggered a new outbreak of the virus in those states.
The man entered Victoria on Thursday, July 8 where he visited several properties - believed to include within Melbourne - and then stayed the night.
He then travelled to South Australia the following day before returning to New South Wales and being tested on Saturday, and a positive result was confirmed on Sunday.
Police man a checkpoint at the New South Wales-Victoria border. The new infected case entered Victoria before the border was closed at midnight on Sunday.
Authorities in both states were urgently trying to gather all of his contacts and have them put in isolation.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said his department was in contact with NSW Health to get information on his movements after crossing the border.
'We do understand there will be families that need to isolate,' Victoria Health Minister Martin Foley said.
'This is now the third incursion into Melbourne and Victoria as a result of this outbreak, we've run the other two down.'
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said people would be forced into isolation in that state as a result of the latest Covid exposure.
The man entered the state before Victoria closed its border to NSW and the ACT from midnight on Sunday.
Removalists are one category of worker who are allowed to cross the border.
Victoria has gone 12 days without a locally-acquired case, whereas New South Wales recorded 112 new cases on Monday, with the vast majority in the epicentre of Sydney's southwestern suburbs.
Victorian residents who were in NSW and missed Sunday's deadline to return to the state will still be allowed to re-enter but must isolate at home for 14 days.
In addition, the Victoria-NSW 'border bubble' for townships along the border will remain intact for local residents, though they must continue to travel with proof of address.
Victorian authorities are also asking cross-border residents in both states not to travel outside that bubble at any time.
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