Rachael Kennedy/Stuff
Environment Southlands offices are currently closed due to a positive Covid-19 Case. [File Photo]
Environment Southland confirmed that the visitor, who was a close contact to staff members at Invercargill’s, tested negative for Covid-19.
Rob Phillips, Environment Southland chief executive, stated: Our office was closed on Friday. Our visitor informed us that they had tested negative for Covid-19 in their initial test.
The visitor would be kept in self-isolation until further tests.
The office will reopen on Wednesday, with all the usual precautions in place.
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Phillips stated that the public health office advised Phillips that since the initial test was negative, it was unlikely that the visitor was infected when they entered Environment Southland.
Environment Southland announced that it would close its doors Friday afternoon as a precautionary measure after the contact had visited the site and met with staff over the past two days.
Environment Southland chairman Nicol Hock said that the contact was from Horizons Regional Council, North Island, who had previously visited Southland.
He stated that only one or two of the staff who had been in close contact to the Covid-19 contact were being tested.
Environment Southland encouraged staff members to work from home, in line Phillips stated.
It encourages people to phone or email rather than visiting the office, as some staff may not be available.
As we waited for more information, we closed our office as a precautionary measure.
Phillips stated that we expect that the Omicron variant will make its way into Southland. We will need to make these decisions again. Our ongoing planning will allow us to continue operating efficiently.
Environment Southland worked with the visitors’ employer to ensure that they had all the support they needed during their self isolation.