'I'm angry': Cafe owner's fury after customer tests positive
A cafe owner in regional Victoria has revealed her devastation after a coronavirus-positive Melburnian dined in at her venue despite current restrictions prohibiting them from doing so.
Kim Short, who owns Oddfellows Cafe in Kilmore, 60km north of Melbourne, revealed on the cafe’s Facebook page the business had been informed a person who has since tested positive to the COVID-19 visited their venue on Wednesday morning.
“We've worked so hard to keep our business open & following all the guidelines through the whole Pandemic, to say l’m upset this has happened when it shouldn't have is an understatement,” she said.
“I'm angry but trying not to be as l’m sure they are feeling bad enough.
“I just know it has shaken us up and hopefully others.”
Ms Short called urged on people to not become complacent as infection rates drop off.
She said she would now be asking for identification of anyone she did not recognise to ensure only locals are dining in.
The cafe owner said she has closed the store for over 48 hours, during which time a deep clean of the premises has been undertaken.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton confirmed on Monday the visitor had a valid permanent to enter regional Victoria however was not allowed to dine in at hospitality venues as per the current restrictions on metropolitan Melbourne visitors.
“Anyone who is coming from metro Melbourne carries their restrictions with them and should be getting take away only,” he said.
He also refused to reveal the person’s current suburb or local government area to avoid them from being identified.
However Professor Sutton did say the person’s infection is linked to the Chadstone cluster.
The person also visited White Line Tyres in Benalla on September 30 on the same day as visiting the cafe.
On Monday, regional Victoria recorded one new case of coronavirus in Shepparton, however Prof Sutton said the test result was not yet definitive.
Regional Victoria is currently on Step Three of the roadmap out of restrictions, while metropolitan Melbourne is on Step Two.
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