Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders has urged businesses not to pre-empt NSW Health decisions in naming COVID-19 venues of concern.
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As the city recorded another 21 cases to 8pm on Tuesday, Mr Saunders called for everyone to wait for "specific health advice".
Dubbo's venues of concern tally reached 65 on mid-Wednesday, and in a daily update, the MP acknowledged it was difficult, but said it was also important businesses did not "react outside what those health decisions might be".
Mr Saunders said the process was that close contacts at any venue would receive a text message.
While it might not happen "within two minutes" of the venue being notified it was an exposure site, it would happen, he said.
"We've had cases where businesses have gone out very publicly and talked about having a positive case," he said.
"In some cases that is slightly helpful, and it's all done with the very best intention.
Unfortunately it does also cause a lot of angst, anxiety and creates a bit of an impact on people who don't need to be impacted.
- Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders
"Unfortunately it does also cause a lot of angst, anxiety and creates a bit of an impact on people who don't need to be impacted.
"Some people who think they might be a close contact because a business has mentioned them, are in fact not ever going to be a close contact, and that business may never be regarded as a close contact itself."
- READ ALSO: NSW records 633 COVID cases, worse to come
Mr Saunders encouraged people to help support each other.
"Spreading the message of a possible venue being a concern is ok, but don't overreact or react outside what those health decisions might be, wait for that messaging and it will come," he said.
"I know it's, again, difficult, but it will come."
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