Two transiting passengers from Papua New Guinea unintentionally spent two hours in the green zone on Thursday morning before they were escorted back to the correct zone, but in that period, 390 passengers boarded three flights bound for New Zealand. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk took to social media on Friday morning to confirm one of the passengers had tested positive to COVID-19.The two passengers who arrived on Thursday morning into the red zone were let into the area designated from New Zealand arrivals due to “human error”, Brisbane Airport Corporation confirmed. The pair dined at Hudson Cafe for about 90 minutes, before using the toilets and visiting a second retail outlet. They were eventually found by airport staff and returned to the red zone. Three “green” flights departed within the two-hour period to New Zealand, potentially exposing 390 passengers to COVID-19. The pair had returned negative results before leaving Port Moresby, but a second test on Thursday returned a “weak positive” for one of the travellers.Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the two passengers posed a low risk to others. “While at the airport, they wore masks and socially distanced and neither has reported symptoms,” Dr Young said. “They were in the wrong zone through no fault of their own and we appreciate their patience and co-operation while we rule them out as cases. “We’re also grateful for the prompt action by Brisbane Airport staff once the mistake was identified.”FACT BOX: AUS-NZ TRAVEL BUBBLE: WHAT INSURERS COVERBrisbane Airport said they were working with authorities to investigate the breach. On Thursday night the New Zealand Ministry of Health urged passengers who arrived on flights NZ202 (Brisbane to Christchurch), NZ146 (Brisbane to Auckland) and QF135 (Brisbane to Christchurch) to monitor their health for the next two weeks. Queensland recorded two cases in hotel quarantine on Friday. More to come.
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