18 June 2021

COVID warning for Canberra after long weekend visit

| Kim Treasure
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The National Gallery doors will open again from June 2

A Sydney man, who has since returned a positive COVID-19 test, visited The National Gallery on 14 June. Photo: File.

Canberrans have woken to a health warning this morning after a Sydney man who visited the nation’s capital over the long weekend returned a positive COVID-19 test.

The man, in his 40s, from Sydney’s north-western suburbs, visited the ACT on Monday 14 June, and went to the sold-out Botticelli to Van Gogh exhibition.

His test results showed low virus levels which NSW Health has not been able to rule out as a possible case of COVID-19.

The National Gallery of Australia and Via Dolce Pasticceria have subsequently been identified as potential exposure sites.

Anyone who visited the Botticelli to Van Gogh exhibition and gift shop at the gallery on Monday 14 June from 12:00 pm to 1:45 pm or visited Via Dolce Pasticceria on Bunda Street from 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm has been asked to immediately self isolate.

People who visited during that period must isolate until further advised by ACT Health, get a COVID-19 test, and fill in the declaration form on the ACT COVID-19 website.

“Consistent with the highly precautionary approach that NSW Health is taking, ACT Health has also identified a small number of exposure locations in the ACT,” ACT Health said.

“If you were at the National Gallery of Australia, including the main gift shop, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Monday, 14 June, you must be vigilant for even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms, immediately get tested and isolate until a negative test is received.

READ MORE Check In CBR data used to trace potential COVID-19 case at NGA Van Gogh exhibition

“Investigations and contact tracing is under way this morning.”

As part of its contact tracing, ACT Health will be looking at Check In CBR and other ticketing data to help identify people who were at the venues.

ACT Health advised residents to stay up to date by checking the ACT COVID-19 website regularly.

The list of exposure locations is likely to be updated as investigations continue.

Extra staff were being rostered on at existing ACT testing clinics on Friday.

“We will keep the community informed as more information becomes available,” the spokesperson said.

ACT Health said this was a strong reminder that COVID-19 was still a risk and the importance of using the check in app.

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