The threat to the Northern Rivers having its first COVID-19 case in twelve months became more likely after it was revealed by the Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young that five ladies from Brisbane who attended a hens party in Byron Bay have now tested positive the UK variant of the virus.

Brisbane's number of locally acquired coronavirus cases doubled from four to eight as greater Brisbane began a three-day lockdown period.

Lismore Base Hospital's Fever Clinic had people queuing from 8 o'clock this morning with 100-meter plus queues at 9:30 this morning which has remained constant most of the day.

Some people had recently been to Brisbane's hotspots for work, family or sport and were doing the right thing by getting tested.

NSW Health is urging everyone to continue to take practical measures to stay COVID-safe. This includes always using QR codes to check in to venues, staying home and getting tested for COVID-19 if unwell, and practising good hand hygiene. all residents to do.

An updated list of places that the five Brisbane ladies had been to now includes:

Byron Bay

Mokha Cafe Patrons who sat in the laneway (Feros Arcade).

2 Lawson St, Byron Bay

27 March 2021 

From 11am – 12pm

Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co

Patrons who sat in the laneway (Feros Arcade).

2 Lawson St, Byron Bay 

27 March 2021 

From 11am – 12pm

Anyone who attended the above venues is considered a close contact. If you attended these venues at the listed times, you must immediately self‑isolate and get tested, then remain in isolation for 14 days regardless of the result:

Anyone who attended the following venues is considered a casual contact. If you attended these venues at the listed times you must get tested and self-isolate until you receive a negative result. You should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again:

Suffolk Park 

Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park (including women’s communal toilets)

14 Alcorn St Suffolk, Park, NSW, 2481 

Friday 26 March 2021 to Sunday 28 March 2021

From 4pm - 8:30am

Byron Bay

Mokha Cafe. Patrons sitting inside or out the front of the venue (not in laneway in Feros Arcade).

2 Lawson St,

Byron Bay 2481

Saturday 27 March, 2021

From 11am -12pm

A complete list of venues of concern, and the related health advice, and links to Queensland Health advice is available on the NSW Government website.

People from the Byron Bay area, those who visited at the weekend when confirmed COVID-19 cases attended, and people who have been in Queensland should check the website regularly for updates: https://nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates