NSW Health issues COVID Public Health Alert for Hoey Moey bottle shop in Coffs Harbour

The Coffs Harbour COVID exposure scare has triggered a testing frenzy with communities across the Mid North Coast concerned about potential spread to other regions.

NSW Heath has confirmed the COVID positive person visited the Hoey Moey bottleshop on Thursday, July 15 between 3.55pm and 4.10pm on Thursday, July 15.

Anyone who attended the venue at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health.

Hoey Moey has shut its doors and publican Harry Barry is now working with NSW Health. The venue is being deep cleaned, he said.

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Mr Barry is urging anyone who was at the venue to get tested, this will include his staff.

The Hoey Moey issued a statement to patrons before closing the doors.

"We understand that there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding the current situation," it said.

"We have had not received any written confirmation from NSW Health that a COVID positive person visited The Hoey Moey on Thursday, 15th July 2021.

"NSW Health have access to all our QR Code patron information for that date.

"Given the uncertainty and slow flow of information from the authorities we have made the following decisions on behalf of our staff and our community to close the Hoey Moey today (Monday).

"We have cancelled all bookings in our accommodation until further notice. The entire venue is getting a deep Covid clean. All our staff have been instructed to get a COVID test and not to return to work until they have received a negative result.

"If anyone has received a text message from NSW Health requesting them to be tested, they should do so immediately.

"We have sought written instructions from the health authorities to confirm the safest actions for our business to follow to ensure we do no harm in our community."

Despite widespread media reports on Monday naming other exposure sites of 'concern', NSW Health does not disclose details about venues unless there is a public health reason, Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick said.

"The case was last believed to have been in the area on 15 July and may have been infectious for part of the time," Mr Dowrick said.

"NSW Health is undertaking urgent case investigations and further information will be provided as soon as available.

"Some venues have already been identified as potential sites of concern. People known to have been at those places have been contacted by NSW Health and are asked to follow the health advice provided and await further instructions."

Coffs Harbour has been identified as a community for increased testing.

Mr Dowrick thanked everyone who has been tested and recognised the efforts of the police, local government and others that worked with the local health district to get the drive-through clinic set up.

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