No new cases of COVID-19 were reported for Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) to 8pm 27 November.
Northern NSW Local Health District is continuing to support guests and staff at the Aquarius Backpackers in Byron Bay, in conjunction with other agencies, after a person at the venue tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
All initial tests from contacts at the venue have now been processed, and no positive results have been received.
Health staff are working closely with guests to determine appropriate isolation settings for each person and provide advice on requirements.
A number of guests have now left the premises, with approval from NSW Health, and there are fewer than 60 people remaining on site.
All close contacts will undergo mandatory day-six testing on Monday 29 November, and final determinations about isolation requirements will be made once those results are known.
While the fact that no new cases have been identified so far is welcome news for health authorities and the Byron community, we continue to urge residents and visitors to take COVID-safe measures when out and about.
These include wearing masks where appropriate, checking in with QR codes, washing hands regularly or using hand sanitizer, and not going out if unwell.
We know that active cases continue to be present in the community from time to time. A public health alert has been issued for anyone who was in Byron Bay between 20 and 25 November to come forward for testing as a precautionary measure. If you do not have symptoms, you do not need to isolate while awaiting your result.
There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find a clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.
In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.
All travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours, pending further health advice.
It is an offence not to comply with a Public Health Order and penalties can apply. Close contacts will be contacted regularly, and compliance checks will be undertaken.
If you have not yet received your COVID-19 vaccination, you can find your closest clinic or make a booking at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.