'Foolish': Fears Byron Bay will become coronavirus hotspot
There are fears Byron Bay could suffer a coronavirus outbreak after more than 1000 people turned up to a dance party near the NSW town over the weekend.
Tweed Byron Police Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe told the ABC on Monday police found the massive crowd of partygoers at Wilsons Creek.
"It is very disappointing," Chief Insp Kehoe he said.
He added another house party in the town had about 200 people in attendance.
The organisers of both parties are yet to receive fines. Chief Insp Kehoe said police want to educate people about why they shouldn’t be doing mass gatherings before fining them.
Wayne Jones, the head of the Northern NSW Local Health District, said authorities are “absolutely dumbfounded” by the actions of partygoers.
"It only takes a handful of very foolish individuals to do something that puts that entire opportunity at risk," he told ABC.
Mr Jones said events like those seen on the weekend could be “quite damning” for the area’s virus infections, adding it’s been 69 days since the last positive COVID case in Northern NSW Local Health District.
On Facebook, people were furious about the gatherings.
“So unbelievably stupid,” one woman wrote.
One man called the attendees “selfish”.
“Moronic disregard for public health and safety,” another man said.
Anyone breaching the orders under the NSW Public Health Act can face a maximum $11,000 fine and/or six months’ jail.
Queensland plans to open its borders to NSW on Friday,
It will also open them to Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and ACT.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
