VIRUS HITS RIP CURL HQ

Torquay site shut as staffer tests positive to COVID-19

A STAFFER at the Torquay office of iconic surf brand Rip Curl has tested positive to COVID -19 in the Surf Coast’s first new case since April.

COVID-19 has returned to the Surf Coast after more than two months without a case, with a staffer at iconic Torquay surf brand Rip Curl testing positive on Tuesday.

The case is just the tenth recorded in the Surf Coast Shire since the start of the pandemic, and the first added since April 10 — with one case added and removed in that time.

Rip Curl on Wednesday confirmed one of its office staff members, who had not worked in the retail stores or warehouse in recent weeks, had tested positive to COVID-19.

“The staff member has been working from home in accordance with state government policy in recent months, and more recently living in Melbourne, and last visited the Torquay office for required meetings on Tuesday, June 30, while asymptomatic,” the statement noted.

“While in the office, the staff member followed social distancing protocol and symptoms only developed 48 hours after leaving Torquay.

“Department of Health and Services have been informed and internal tracking completed, with the six staff members identified as coming into contact with the person now in self-isolation until cleared. A deep clean of the office is under way.”

The Rip Curl office will remain closed until further notice, while unaffected storefronts will continue to operate as normal, including the Torquay store, Torquay outlet, warehouses, and watch and wetsuit service centres.

The region’s latest coronavirus case comes after the City of Greater Geelong recorded two positive COVID-19 tests on Monday, bringing Geelong’s total to 70 cases.

The state government on Wednesday announced 134 new cases of coronavirus recorded since Tuesday, with the total number of cases now at 2942, with 22 deaths.

Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire returned to Stage 3 “stay-athome” restrictions at 11.59pm on Wednesday, for a total of six weeks.

“These restrictions have become necessary because of the sharp increase in cases,” Victoria’s chief health officer, Brett Sutton, said.

“If you live in these areas, there’ll be only four reasons to leave your home: shopping for food and essential items; care and care giving; daily exercise; and work and study, if you can’t do it from home.

“These are tough measures but this virus is not selective — it will impact anyone it encounters, and personal contact is the clear source of its transmission. We need everyone to do their part and ensure it is stopped in its tracks.”