Date Time COVID-19 variant An expert panel has determined that a returned traveller who was identified as having the new UK variant of COVID-19 after completing their isolation period was not infectious when they returned to the community. A returned traveller arrived in NSW from overseas on 21 December and entered mandatory quarantine, where they tested positive for COVID-19 following their day two swab. The person was transferred to the Special Health Accommodation, which cares for all returned travellers who test positive, and was discharged from the Special Health Accommodation at 12.10am on 5 January. The person had been medically assessed the day before, met all exit criteria in place at the time, and on the basis of those criteria were considered clear of COVID-19.