TWO of three workers classified as close contacts of a Wodonga truckie with COVID-19 have tested negative to the virus.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The trio had been in the vicinity of the driver when he stopped at Howlong's Cool Off pet food factory on August 31 before testing positive after travelling to South Australia.
It was originally thought there were four near the driver on that day, but it emerged on Tuesday that one of them had worked with him on August 28, a day on which the Wodonga man produced a negative COVID test.
A spokesperson for the Staughton Group, which operates the plant, said around 20 of 41 other staff deemed secondary contacts also had the all clear on their swabs.
The good news comes as NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro prepares to join the state's crisis group on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the fate of regional COVID lockdowns.
An announcement will be made on Thursday, with the Nationals leader optimistic on Tuesday about the chances of the Riverina being freed.
"I would say north of the state and probably (the) Riverina region down the bottom of the state are the two areas that clearly stand out (as candidates for release)." Mr Barilaro said.
He said the NSW Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish had been able to glean little information from Victoria about its timing of a potential lockdown easing south of the Murray River.
IN OTHER NEWS:
He said it would not influence his government's decision but it may hit the extent of a border bubble.
"By lifting restrictions the key concern could be that Victoria may take a tougher line with NSW," Mr Barilaro said.
"But like I've said previously I don't think we will actually go back to pre-lockdown, there is still going to be a level of restrictions in place, moderate restrictions to manage what is still occurring around us.
"Maybe that will appease them, but it is about creating a bubble for that community and it depends on where Victoria wants to go and how far Victoria wants to go."
