WAGGA mayor Greg Conkey has urged the community to avoid complacency after a coronavirus scare at the city's RAAF base.
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Twelve defence force personnel are in isolation at the Wagga RAAF base after visiting the Crossroads Hotel in Casula, Sydney which is the source of a coronavirus cluster.
On Monday afternoon, Major General Paul Kenny - the leader of the ADF's COVID-19 assistance operation - said the 12 personnel had returned negative results.
Major General Kenny said, in accordance with NSW Health orders, the group would continue to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.
Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said while he was confident the RAAF base had acted responsibly in isolating the group as soon as possible, the news was a reminder of the need to avoid complacency in Wagga as case numbers rise elsewhere.
"I appreciate the people who have self isolated, that's a responsible thing to do," Cr Conkey said.
Cr Conkey said he understood both Wagga defence bases had strong coronavirus prevention measures.
"I think the defence forces are doing the right thing and we appreciate what they're doing," he said.
However, he said in his own experiences dining out in Wagga, he believed there was some complacency regarding social distancing creeping into the community.
"Just be super cautious and make sure you abide by those social distancing rules, I think the majority of outlets here in Wagga are doing that," he said.
"We just need to try and avoid going back into lockdown like Melbourne ...that would have a devastating effect on our economy here."
Cr Conkey said it was important people from Wagga and Albury also made the decision to not travel between the two cities unless absolutely necessary, as attempting to move the border north would be a "logistical nightmare" with all the additional back roads.
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