Statement on RAAF Base Wagga

Defence can confirm 12 ADF personnel are in medical isolation at RAAF Base Wagga after attending a hotel in south-western Sydney linked to a number of cases of COVID-19.

The members visited the establishment on Thursday, 9 July 2020, the day before they were to deploy on tasks related to Operation COVID-19 Assist.

The 12 members were tested for COVID-19 and on the afternoon of Monday, 13 July 2020, Defence was advised that the 12 results were negative.

The members will remain in medical isolation for 14 days at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Wagga in line with the directions of New South Wales Health for anyone who attended the hotel between 3-10 July 2020.

As a further precautionary measure, the remainder of the contingent sent from Sydney was directed to self-isolate. As a result of the negative test results the remainder of that contingent will now be released from self-isolation.

Defence will take all measures to ensure it does not compromise the health of its personnel, agencies they are supporting or the public.