A drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic will be open in Blayney this morning as the region rallies following Sunday's confirmation a positive case traveled through Parkes, Blayney and Bathurst.
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The testing clinic will be operational from 8am on Monday, July 19, at the Blayney Showground, with the entry via Marshalls Lane.
There is also testing clinics at the Orange Showground and the Molong train station.
It comes following confirmation the Skillset Senior College Bathurst Campus will be closed today, Monday, July 19, after advice on Sunday night that a staff member was a close contact of the Raglan service station Covid exposure site.
The truck driver that delivered pet food to Parkes and Blayney stopped at the BP service station at Raglan.
There's been no confirmed exposure sites in Orange following the case traveling through Blayney, and previously following another positive case venturing to Molong on Friday.
It is recommended that students who attended school on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, and their close contacts seek a COVID test ASAP.
- Abbey Barrett, Head of College at Skillset Bathurst
The college made an urgent COVID announcement via its webpage on Sunday evening telling its school community the campus would be closed today.
The statement, posted by Abbey Barrett, Head of College, said "advice has just come to notice that a staff member was contacted by the NSW Department of Health and informed they were a close contact of the Raglan service station COVID exposure site last Tuesday.
"This member is now in self isolation for a two week period which concludes July 27th. The member will be tested tomorrow morning and results pending tomorrow night.
"The school leadership team has made a critical decision to take the precautionary measure to close the school to staff and students for tomorrow, Monday 19th of July.
"This will provide time and space for the staff member to receive results, for the leadership team to seek NSW Health advice and for planning to continue for the way forward.
"It is recommended that students who attended school on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, and their close contacts seek a COVID test ASAP.
COVID-19 testing is available at several locations in Bathurst, including a drive-through service on Mountain Straight, Mount Panorama which is open from 8am to 4pm.
"Please note that the school has enforced strict COVID safe practices since returning from holidays and has rehearsed and planned for a variety of COVID related contingencies.
"We will take measured and considered action, and your safety will be our number one priority.
"We will send out further advice on our plan based on our enquiries with NSW Health on Monday 19 July 21. Please note this may come out after hours tomorrow which is when we are likely to know the status of our staff members test results.
"Note that if you get COVID tested and we reopen the school on Tuesday, you will not be permitted to return until you receive your test results. The school desk will not be staffed tomorrow.
"Students will be contacted by the Tribe Leaders tomorrow. If you have enquiries please feel free to contact the Head of College, Abbey Barrett on 0417 483 443, the Deputy Head of College, Mark Whitfeld on 0459 272 816 or the Campus Coordinator, Meg Hitchick on 0457 077 838."
The students were then encouraged to send the message to school friends in the school community in order to get the message disseminated promptly.
"While this situation may be inconvenient and concerning to some of you, be assured we are committed to doing this properly and will not risk your health or that of your loved ones."
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