A Melbourne strawberry picker has tested positive for COVID-19 near Bundaberg in Queensland.Credit:Canberra Times
He had been allowed to fly in from Melbourne to Queensland because he was a seasonal worker,she said.
Health Minister and Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the man was in contact with"about 15 people"on Monday when he socialised with family and friends on Brisbane's south side.
“He then travelled by plane to Bundaberg where he was transported by his fruit-picking employer to fruit-picker accommodation,"he said.
“He had worked a shift picking fruit where he has been in contact with a number of people.”
“So,clearly there is a lot of work for out contact tracers to do.”
A COVID-19 testing clinic has been set up at the strawberry farm near Bundaberg,where staff and workers are progressively being tested.
Dr Young said four tests had been received from people the fruit picker had been in contact with in Bundaberg and all four were negative.
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More tests results are expected on Saturday evening.
Dr Young said it was"perfectly safe"to buy and eat strawberries.
"There is no danger there,"she said.
Dr Young said there was no need to test people as they landed in Queensland.
"This is just one case. We don't need to test every single person who comes off a plane,"she said.
"But it is important that everyone considers that if they have any symptoms that is when they should get tested."
Health Minister Steven Miles said - sadly - it demonstrated why Queensland needed to be vigilant about protecting its borders.