AWH releases Kilday family from iso, updates on Brisbane developments

The Border Mail raised the case of the family, where DHHS had mandated their permit requirements despite giving less strict orders for more recent returned travellers.

The Kildays had rushed home from Queensland after border closure announcements, returning on the 1^st, and went into isolation.

Transit permits finalised by DHHS in days following allowed Victorians to return home via NSW, without quarantining - subject to conditions.

DHHS had told Mrs Kilday that they would not have been eligible for this new permit because they stopped overnight at Narrabri.

AWH pandemic response director Leisa Bridges confirmed the Kildays had now been released from quarantine.

"The AWH Public Health Unit is currently reviewing all local cases on the Victorian side of our local government area, where individuals attended an Albury Wodonga Health testing clinic for swabbing," Ms Bridges said.

Victorians in Queensland could start applying for transit permits online yesterday, but have been issued with new advice due to a lockdown of Brisbane.

"All Victorians in these areas are advised to follow the guidance of the Queensland Government and any Victorian with plans to travel to these areas should cancel them," DHHS said.

"National Cabinet has declared Queensland a national hotspot after the discovery of a UK variant of COVID-19 in a cleaner at a Brisbane quarantine hotel.

"Those who have arrived in Victoria from these areas since 2 January should get tested and remain at home or place of accommodation until Monday, when a further assessment will be made.

"The border with NSW remains closed and the department is working though more than 4000 exemption applications. 579 exemptions have been granted so far and staff are processing the most urgent cases first with priority given to Victorian residents."

Ms Bridges said following developments in Queensland, AWH was "urging any returned travellers who visited a COVID-19 exposure site in Brisbane to get tested immediately".

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"Until further DHHS travel advice is issued in relation to Queensland, we strongly discourage anyone from travelling to Brisbane, or outside the border zone if possible," she said.

"We would like to remind the community to get tested if you develop symptoms, or have visited a COVID-19 exposure site, or area of concern."

AWH tested 96 people in the 24 hours to Friday morning.