Mask up - COVID cases in Byron Shire a cause for concern

Published on 21 December 2021

The Mayor of the Byron Shire, Michael Lyon, has spoken with the Chief Executive of the Northern NSW Local Health District, Wayne Jones, to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the Byron Shire.

In the latest figures to 8pm 20 December there were 17 new COVID cases in the Byron Shire.

“I really appreciated the opportunity to talk with Mr Jones about the evolving situation and to relay to him what people are telling me,” Mayor Lyon said.

After today’s discussions Byron Shire Council will be formally writing to NSW Health asking for information and clarification on the issues discussed.

“At the moment the queues for testing are very long, with many people testing because they are close contacts or have symptoms of COVID, while others are getting tests prior to going away for Christmas,” Mayor Lyon said.

“There is also the situation where people who are not from this area are passing through on their way to Queensland and getting their tests in the Byron Shire and this is obviously causing long delays,” he said.

“There are four testing clinics that are currently open, along with normal pathology services but it is not clear what will happen over the Christmas-New Year break and this is something I raised with Mr Jones.

“It’s very difficult for NSW Health because resourcing testing clinics is a big problem, but we have so many visitors coming to the area that our population surges and I think this needs to be acknowledged.

“I do appreciate that accommodation is scarce and at a premium which compounds the problem when it comes to bringing more testing clinics or vaccination clinics on-line,” he said.

Mayor Lyon also raised the process around notifying close contacts as well as the discrepancy between the number of actual COVID cases in the Shire and the process of only recording those who live in the shire, not those who are visiting.

“There seems to be a lot of confusion since the process of checking in became voluntary and there is a fear that the number of infections is far higher that what is being reported,” he said.

Mayor Lyon is urging people to be proactive and wear masks when they are indoors or not able to socially distance.

“The latest figures show that while testing numbers remain very high there was a reduction in the number of new COVID cases to 8pm last night and that is certainly good news.

“To keep these numbers as low as we can we all need to take personal responsibility to stop the spread of COVID and that means wearing a mask, making smart decisions about where you go and socially distancing,” Mayor Lyon said.

“People who are vaccinated may also wish to check their records to see when their booster shot is due and book in – make it a New Year's resolution,” he said.

Information about testing and vaccination clinics is on Council’s website.

For more media enquiries call Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 02 6626 7320.