RESORT POOL DEFIANCE

Swimmer fined for Byron quarantine breaches

A WOMAN ordered to quarantine after being told she was a close contact of a COVID-19 case has been fined after swimming at a Byron Bay pool instead of isolating, police say.

It was the second $1000 fine for the Cronulla woman, 27, in three days after alleged public health breaches on

January 1 and 3. Despite the breach, NSW authorities would not confirm if the woman had tested negative for the disease.

Authorities also would not confirm if other holidaymakers at the caravan park where she swam were aware they were at potential risk.

Police first attended a Byron Bay venue where she was staying, understood to be the Glen Villa Resort, on December 31 after reports of a “possible breach of public health orders”.

“Police were told the woman had been notified she was a close contact of a positive COVID case but was not self-isolating and had not been tested,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“The woman was provided advice about testing facilities and self-isolation before being given personal protective equipment to assist with safe travel to the facility.

“Officers returned to the resort at 8pm the following day and found the woman was not self-isolating.”

She was fined but police were again called on Sunday after reports the woman was not self-isolating but “instead swimming in the resort pool”, the statement said.

The woman was again given an infringement notice.

It’s understood the woman told police she had returned a negative COVID-19 result. Police could not confirm a result on Monday. It is unclear when she got to Byron Bay.

The Glen Villa Resort did not respond to requests for comment.

NSW Health would not confirm if the pool had since closed for cleaning. It “did not comment on individual cases”.

NSW Acting Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said while most of the public had been compliant with health orders there had been blatant breaches, including the Cronulla woman.

“That obviously puts the rest of the public and herself in significant danger,” he said.

NSW recorded no new coronavirus cases on Monday.

Five new cases were detected in Queensland but all were in quarantine after returning from overseas.

The Queensland border remains open to NSW but greater Sydney is a hot spot.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the state upped capacity for testing centres after Gold Coast hospitals had waits of five hours or more on the weekend.

Three further clinics had opened, staff at existing clinics had been doubled and hours at some clinics were extended to 10pm.

“I want to thank people for their patience in getting tested,” Dr Young said. “We remain closed to people who have been in greater Sydney within the last 14 days.

“This is a difficult time so we just have to be very alert.”

New restrictions limit anyone who has been in Victoria on or since December 21 from entering vulnerable facilities.

These rules apply to agedcare facilities, hospitals, disability accommodation and correctional facilities.

Anyone in Queensland who had been in Victoria on or since December 21 should get tested immediately and quarantine at their home or accommodation until receiving a negative result.

Dr Young urged Queenslanders to reconsider any need to visit Victoria or NSW.