Byron Bay’s Mayor Says The Sydney Man Who Caused Lockdown Doesn’t “Believe” In COVID
"He hasn't been signing in and using his QR codes any of that, doesn't believe in it. It's a nightmare."
Four local government areas on the North Coast of NSW are in seven-day lockdown due to the movements of one man in his 50s — who according to the Byron Shire Mayor allegedly doesn’t believe in COVID-19. He travelled from Sydney to the Byron region with his two teenagers and met with at least one local real estate agent.
The Byron Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Lyon, told SBS the man caught the virus from his wife, who he left behind in a Sydney hospital, and was symptomatic in the region for several days. He toured Nimbin, Lismore, Casino, Byron Bay, and Ballina areas, not using QR check-in codes. It’s understood he called an ambulance on Sunday and was admitted to Lismore Base Hospital.
Journalists in today’s press conference proposed to Health Minister Brad Hazzard that the man attempted to leave the hospital last night. Hazzard did not confirm the allegations.
The Byron Mayor said on ABC Radio that the man had not been cooperating with police and health authorities — and he didn’t hold back when discussing the matter with the ABC.
“He’s been evasive from all accounts, in terms of the questioning, so there is some form of suspicion as to the reasons he’s being evasive with questions, we don’t know at this stage but it’s disappointing,” said Lyon. “When it happens because someone is complacent or negligent it’s unacceptable, it’s worse than stupidity, when you just don’t give a shit, that’s next level for me.
“We’re going through trying to list all exposure sites and work out where he’s been, and he hasn’t been signing in and using QR codes, any of that…doesn’t believe in it. It’s a nightmare.”
Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, and Richmond Valley will be under the same strict orders that apply to Greater Sydney, the Hunter region, and parts of New England. Toilet paper shelves in the Lismore Central Woolworths were empty soon after the lockdown was announced.
The Brisbane Times has reported that Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will work with NSW to potentially enforce further border restrictions as NSW’s COVID-19 outbreak spreads further north. Currently, people who live in the border zone that hugs the state lines can travel across for specific reasons, including to get household goods, though they need to apply for an entry pass.
“There will be an increase in presence on the border to ensure people are complying with the directions that have been given by the NSW Government and not crossing into Queensland and vice-versa,” said Palaszczuk.