A CASTLEMAINE business owner has closed her three stores after one of her staff members tested positive for coronavirus.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Samantha Stocks shut the doors to her three stores - Stocks Gifts and Gallery, Ivy and Grace and Aolita on Friday as soon as her staff member received their test results.
Ms Stocks said the staff member came to work on Wednesday and said they had hayfever. Ms Stocks asked the staff member to be tested. On Friday, the staff member's test returned positive for COVID-19.
Read more:
"It was lucky because I had read that it's hayfever season but to get tested anyway (if you have symptoms) and they messaged this morning and said they had it," Ms Stocks said.
The Department of Health has yet to contact Ms Stocks but the staff member was speaking with contact tracers this afternoon.
"I have been trying to contact them and have emailed and put in (relevant) forms," Ms Stocks said. "I know the person with the virus has spoken contact tracers this afternoon.
"We have all been tested and so has my husband just out of caution. It is unfortunate, we have a lot of people through the shop and lots of ongoing customers."
Ms Stocks has traced the staff member's hours back five days from when they showed symptoms.
She said the staff member worked Stocks Gifts and Gallery on September 24, 27 and 28 from 10am to 5pm. The staff member also worked at Ivy and Grace on September 25 from 11am to 4pm.
Ms Stocks said the staff member had not worked a shift at Aolita but had visited the store for work related reasons.
"We're really strict with everything in the shops," she said. "The person who got (the virus) wears two masks, so fingers crossed all going to be okay.
"We are strict and always ask people check in, we check licenses and all our staff are double vaccinated. We have COVID plans in place and are very COVID conscious."
Ms Stocks said she was still in shock about the staff member's result but wanted to keep her community informed and took to social media page Castlemania to let people know of the developments.
"Straight away we shut the shops down," she said. "But I thought how can I let everyone know (this information) quickly. I had read contract tracing can take time. We had so many people in shop and they need to know."
Ms Stocks said she had received an overwhelming response from the community about her Castlemaine post.
"We have had an incredible response to people letting me know through Castlemania," she said. "It is encouraging for businesses. You don't need to worry about being an exposure site, the main thing is to let everyone know and give them as much information as you can to help everyone.
"Our community is so lovely. They are all really grateful for me letting them know. For me its bought out good thing.
"I am probably still a bit shocked and other staff are too. You just don't expect it. But we feel like we have done all the right things."
Ms Stocks said her staff is doing well and staying in touch with each other during isolation.
"We're all a bit upset but we are all keeping in touch and communicating," she said.
"If we get any results or hear any information, we tell each other. As soon as I hear what is happening (with the stores) I will let everyone know."
The Department of Health said businesses identified as an exposure site will be notified by their local public health unit but an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria meant contact tracing teams and the systems that support them are constantly adapting and improving to ensure the response focus is on the areas of greatest risk.
Details of new public exposure sites are added to the coronavirus website once they are confirmed.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News