Byron Bay mayor blasts COVID-positive visitor from Sydney
Mayor of Byron Bay Michael Lyon has said a man who broke Sydney’s lockdown to travel to the area has tested COVID-positive, and because he didn’t use QR codes it’s made contact tracing a “nightmare.”
The mayor revealed the teenage children of the man have also tested positive. Mayor Lyon told the ABC the man should be punished appropriately for intentionally breaking the rules.
“He got sick and didn’t get tested until he was really sick,” Mayor Lyon said.
“It seems to be a clear case of negligence and intentional disregard. I think there needs to be some kind of penalty for that,” he added.
The man is now being treated at Lismore Base Hospital and investigations are ongoing into why he travelled to the region.
Four NSW North Coast areas are now in lockdown
Four local government areas (LGAs) on the NSW North Coast are now in lockdown and they include the Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina Shire. These areas are in lockdown until 12:01am on August 17.
The lockdown affects anyone who has been in these areas on or after July 31.
Anyone in these affected LGAs must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.
These include essential shopping, such as groceries, for medical appointments or to get vaccinated, or to fulfil caring duties.
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