Melbourne COVID-19 case travels to NSW South Coast and Goulburn for camping trip

Health authorities say a confirmed COVID-19 case from Melbourne travelled to several areas of NSW while potentially infectious, including Jervis Bay on the south coast and Goulburn in the southern tablelands.

NSW Health issued an alert just before 9:00pm for several venues in Jervis Bay, Goulburn, Hyams Beach and Vincentia.

The person, who reported the onset of symptoms on May 25, drove back to Melbourne on May 24 and got tested on May 31. Victoria’s stay-at-home measures took effect on May 27.

Anyone who visited an alerted venue at the relevant times must immediately and get tested and isolate.

The positive case visited:

NSW Health says this list is likely to grow as contact tracers continue to investigate the movements of the case in and around the Jervis Bay area.

Testing capacity will be increased in the area with a drive-through pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic set to open in Huskisson.

“Anyone who lives in Jervis Bay, or has visited Jervis Bay since May 22, is asked to be especially vigilant for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms, and is urged to come forward for testing immediately if they appear, then isolate until a negative result is received,” a NSW Health spokesperson said.

“Additionally, anyone who has recently had symptoms should also get tested.”

Those who have been at the identified venues at the relevant times must also immediately contact NSW Health on 1800 943 553.

The case also visited the Victorian towns of Euroa, Glenrowan and Wallan as well as Melbourne’s CBD on their travels.

Victorian health officials and senior government ministers met on Tuesday night to discuss options for an extension of the seven-day lockdown as case numbers continue to rise.

No decision has been made yet on any extension.

The rapid spread of the Indian variant of the coronavrius, including the transmission of the virus through “fleeting contact”, has authorities deeply worried.

Jeroen Weimar, Victoria’s COVID-19 response commander, expressed concerns that there had been evidence of four or five cases where transmission had happened between strangers.

“They are all examples of transmission with very limited contact,” he said.

“These are quite different and it’s a much more fleeting contact.”

Since the Victorian outbreak began, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has kept the state border open, and earlier in the week said that the 5-kilometre limit imposed on Victorians would protect her state.

“When Victorians aren’t allowed to travel more than five kilometres outside of where they live that obviously does not concern us because they can’t travel and get to NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said on Monday.

“That’s why I say to the other states when Victorians aren’t allowed to leave their homes you shouldn’t worry about your own borders.”