Launceston businesses are facing staff shortages after the release of COVID-19 casual contact sites on Saturday morning forced people into immediate isolation.
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The list was released after a former employee of Launceston General Hospital tested positive upon their arrival in London.
Sweetbrew was quickly forced to shut its doors on Saturday morning after it was contacted by Public Health as a casual contact site, with staff sent home to isolate.
Other busy eateries, like St John Craft Beer Bar, were also listed.
THE FULL LIST OF TASMANIAN CONTACT SITES: Launceston sites in COVID casual contact list
Co-owner Tim Jarosz said the bar will be closed for Saturday lunchtime trade to allow workers to get tested, but he hopes trade will return to normal for the evening.
The positive case had attended the bar between 5.32pm and 7.10pm on June 24 , inadvertently coming in to contact with numerous members of staff.
Mr Jarosz said it was unfortunate timing because most staff were at the venue at the time.
"On that particular night was one of our staff's birthday so everyone was catching up at the bar and having drinks with him," he said.
"So quite uncanny how many staff members it applied to."
St John Craft Beer Bar has had strict policies in place throughout the pandemic, with employees directed to get a test if they exhibit any symptoms COVID-19.
"Quite a couple of our staff have already had a test in the last seven days which means they don't have to go through this," Mr Jarosz said.
"Part of our policy is that if someone has a cold or someone has a sniffle, they have to go and get tested."
Mr Jarosz is feeling positive that trade will return to normal from today, while his remaining members of staff hold down the fort.
"I'm pretty optimistic about pushing on and making the best out of it," Mr Jarosz said.
"We have four staff today working 14 hour days but we'll make it work."
On Friday, Public Health director Mark Veitch said the former LGH nurse had worked until June 20 after which they travelled to sections of the state over a few days.
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Sarah Davison
Education reporter at The Examiner, with an additional focus on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. With a background in Psychology, Sarah completed her Master's thesis on the Australian media's coverage of familicide. Get in touch: sarah.davison@examiner.com.au or 0448 682 861
Education reporter at The Examiner, with an additional focus on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. With a background in Psychology, Sarah completed her Master's thesis on the Australian media's coverage of familicide. Get in touch: sarah.davison@examiner.com.au or 0448 682 861
