Around 500 schoolies-goers have been flown back to Sydney from Byron Bay yesterday after a COVID-19 outbreak at a local caravan park has reportedly resulted in at least 10 people returning positive results.
9News reported that Schoolies at the Discovery Park in Byron Bay were being transported out of the area as long as they were able to produce a negative rapid antigen test. They were then made to board chartered flights and buses back to Sydney. It was also reported that the graduates were not allowed to go into the township even if they were negative, only being allowed to leave if they were going back to their homes.
After the guests travel back home, they are required to take a PCR test and isolate until they receive a negative result.
Anyone who returned a positive result at the caravan park is being made to isolate there, with a 17-year-old from Gymea telling 2GB that she has heard of “at least 10” cases at the park on Friday afternoon.
“Everyone here says they know someone that’s got it. So I’m thinking … there’s at least 10 that I’ve heard of, but I reckon there’s definitely a lot more.”
According to Sky News, four people returned a positive result via a PCR test by yesterday morning and now must stay at the park until further direction from NSW Health is given.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has said over the weekend that the government is not looking to introduce another lockdown ahead of Christmas for the state.
“It’s not time to have a knee jerk reaction and close down,” he said.
The premier has said that as the Newcastle outbreak develops, the government may “tailor” restrictions for that particular region to quell the outbreak.
“If there are changes that need to be made, we will tailor those changes to the situation in front of us.”
Mr Perrottet encouraged residents of NSW to go out and enjoy Christmas.
“I hope everyone goes out and enjoys a fantastic Christmas and catches up with family and friends.”
