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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
Businesses in Taupō say they were shocked when they learned that a family who visited them recently had tested positive for Covid-19, and most have reopened after a deep cleaning of their facilities.
One company said it had received abusive messages and wanted people to follow health rules instead of blaming.
The family traveled to Taupō between September 18 and 20, visiting places such as DeBretts Spa, Tandem Skydiving, KFC, Subway, and a Z gas station, and met with 18 other people who had come from five regions, including Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton.
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The positive results of their tests were reported on September 23 and they had been isolating three days earlier, according to the Health Ministry.
Supplied / Stuff
Businesses in Taupō say they were shocked to learn that a family who recently visited them had tested positive for Covid-19, and most have reopened after a deep cleaning of their facilities.
So far, the ministry has identified 15 places the family had been when possibly infectious, and 35 close contacts, who were now isolated and undergoing testing.
Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort Operations Manager Mirela Petrar said the family had only visited the hot springs and had not used other facilities on September 18.
The business closed early last night for a deep cleaning and reopened this morning.
“We are emptying our outdoor pools and indoor pools or mineral pools. We are emptying every day so it is a normal routine, but last night we did a bigger disinfection and also in the morning one of our contractors helped us with the fogging, which is a deeper disinfection, “said Petrar.
The staff members were considered casual contacts and, although they were not required to be tested, they had been told to be vigilant, he said.
Petrar was warning people to be careful because the family had gone to many places.
However, he said that what concerned him most was that staff members had received abusive messages on the phone and on social media.
“It is not our fault. It is not the fault of this family … we just have to prepare and follow the plan and follow the public health instructions,” he said, adding that he hoped the affected family would make a good recovery.
The family also visited Taupō Tandem Skydiving on September 19.
Its CEO, Hamish Funnell, said he was impressed with the quick actions of health officials and that the family had also done the right thing to keep track of where they had been.
He said that at least 16 staff members had been tested so far and some have already returned negative results, but that he kept his business closed until all results were available and a deep cleaning was done, even if it meant additional cost.
“We have not calculated the loss yet. The right thing to do is to close the doors and suspend the operation until we know for sure that we can provide a safe service for our customers and [safe environment] for our things. “
Funnell said the person was asymptomatic when he came to the jump, so the risk should be low. There were 15 people on the aircraft who were followed up by the positive case, including a pilot, seven staff members and six customers.
“We really hope that these results are negative and we will also get a quick resolution.”
Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said that locals were disappointed but were continuing their normal lives.
He said they were aware of contact tracing and hygiene practices and that he did not expect tourism in the city to be affected.
“It has just been handled very well on this site. It’s early, of course, but we’re sure we have it early and we’ve fixed it. “
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate is warning Auckland residents to travel.
“Much of this will remain on the shoulders of the Auckland people. If they are traveling outside of Auckland they should wear face masks, sanitize their hands and keep a proper distance from people, because otherwise we are just one Aucklander from a spread. “
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
