Lake Cargelligo is in uproar, following revelations that a Melburnian entered the town despite not following self-isolation guidelines.
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The woman visited a pub, the bakery, and the grocery, before going to the nearby Murrin Bridge Aboriginal community where she remains in quarantine.
Royal Mail Hotel publican Stella Murray said she was "fuming" at the ensuing media coverage, which prompted rumours that a positive COVID case had been found in Lake Cargelligo even though the woman in question tested negative.
"Everyone's scared to come to the hotel, even though we've had it cleaned on Monday morning. It's just ruined the business."
"It doesn't matter what I say, whatever comes out in the newspaper and the news reports is always the opposite of what I say. We're a little town trying to survive in the middle of nowhere."
The local state member for Barwon Roy Butler said the Melburnian had flouted the rules and put his entire electorate in jeopardy.
"It's extremely disappointing when people don't follow the rules they are given. The rules are there to protect all of us, particularly the most vulnerable people."
"I hope this is an isolated event and I hope we don't see anyone else do this, because it places whole communities at risk."
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Regional health minister and federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton said such rule-breaking behaviour could not be tolerated.
"It is simply unacceptable for any person to be flouting the rules that are in place to protect communities in my electorate from the spread of COVID-19," Mr Coulton said.
"I know that people in my electorate are prepared to do their part to protect themselves and others by wearing appropriate personal-protection-equipment, adhering to social distancing and personal hygiene requirements, and downloading the COVIDSafe app. These are the little things we can do that make a big difference to the wellbeing of our communities."
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District will set up a pop-up clinic at Murrin Bridge for residents who wish to get tested on August 17.
Clinicians will also visit the Lake Cargelligo Multipurpose Service hospital on August 16, 1pm to 4pm, for nearby residents.
Walk-in consultations are available, and appointments can also be made by calling the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 831 099.