The Cove Jervis Bay has taken extra precautions after it was informed that two guests who camped at its venue on Friday, August 7 had tested positive for COVID-19 after they had been to the property.
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NSW Health then attended the venue and conducted a thorough inspection of the site and facilities including its COVID-Safe measures. NSW Health informed the venue it had followed all the guidelines and was considered "no-risk", so there was no need to close or for staff to isolate as there had been no contact.
However The Cove decided to take extra precautions and put staff into isolation and closed the venue.
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"Whilst The Cove was told they could remain open as they were a very low risk, the business volunteered to cancel all its bookings and told all staff to self-isolate for two weeks," The Cove Jervis Bay said in a statement.
"However, we decided to take measures above and beyond this and we wanted to do more. So, we immediately quarantined all staff who had been at the venue during those same hours, even though there had been no close contact or interactions.
"All staff have since taken COVID tests and all have come back negative. However, they remain in quarantine and will get tested again next week before coming out of quarantine.
"We also cancelled all bookings for the week and had the property professionally cleaned. The glamping was completely flooded out from the storms and was closed from last Sunday and remains closed."
The two Sydneysiders arrived after hours on Friday, August 7, and immediately sought shelter in their tent due to the storm. Due to the torrential weather the pair left early Saturday morning and had no close interactions with any guests or staff.
"We were told by NSW Health that there was no need to make any public announcements as we were fully cleared and considered a no-risk venue," the statement said.
"However, we made the personal decision to inform our local community and we spoke to and coordinated with the head of the national park, the Australian Federal Police in the Jervis Bay Territory, Jervis Bay Administration and local community members.
"We held a community meeting earlier this week and we informed them of what had happened and what we were doing in response.
"We have been blown away at the support and assistance from the whole community and could not have gotten through this very difficult and testing time without their support, guidance and community love."
The advice from NSW Health remains the same, anyone who was at the Wildginger restaurant in Huskisson on August 8 between 7.45pm to 10.30pm must self-isolate for 14 days and to get tested for COVID-19 if directed or if they develop symptoms.
A pop-up clinic has been established by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District in St Georges Basin.
The clinic is located at St Georges Basin Community Health Centre, 21 Mereton St, St Georges Basin and will operate 8am-4pm weekdays and will be open Saturday August 15.