COVID-19: Oops! – Sydney Airport crew van driver tests positive

NSW Health Minister has just announced at a press conference that a man who regularly drives a van to and from Sydney Airport has just returned a positive test for COVID-19, and is therefore the first case of community transmission in NSW since 3 December.

The man was tested yesterday (Tuesday) after 8pm , with the ‘unfortunate’ result being reported today (Wednesday).

Minister Hazzard has reported that the 45 year old man first reported symptoms on Saturday.

The governments initial response is to seek talks with international airlines, to look at making changes to quarantine requirements for air crew.

The van driver was solely transporting international air crew according to some reports.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

I’m due on an interstate flight out of Sydney this evening – or am I?

Indications currently are that this new case will not impact border openings or the planned relaxation of COVID-19 related restrictions in NSW.

Standard contact tracing has commenced.