A Sydney tree lopper who tested positive to COVID-19 after his business went door to door looking for work in the Hunter says he is "so sorry" for exposing people to the virus.
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Taanasau Fautua from Sau Tree Services is in John Hunter Hospital recovering from COVID after being admitted on Sunday.
He said he came up here from St Marys after Sydney went into lockdown but before Newcastle was put under stay at home orders. He said he had worked in the Hunter in the past.
"Sydney lockdown no work, that's why we come up here and booking job up here," he said.
Mr Fautua said he moved with his six sons to Toronto to work in the local area. They also lived in Lambton and Charlestown.
He said some of his family members had tested positive and his son-in-law is in intensive care at a Sydney hospital with the virus.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH) said the business worked in the region between August 15 and 31, but the Newcastle Herald spoke to a resident who said she was approached by them in Kotara on August 9. Police are investigating potential breaches of the Public Health Order.
A separate tree lopping business was on Thursday fined $33,000 for lying on a permit to enter regional NSW and having employees door-knock for work at Lake Macquarie this week. Police were told that the men were working in Lake Macquarie on week days and going back to Sydney - including local government areas of concern - on weekends.
HNEH said Mr Fautua had remained in Newcastle since arriving but other family members had travelled back and forth to Sydney. Mr Fautua said he did not know where he caught COVID.
As well as going door to door locking for work, he said his business had also responded to some quotes for jobs in the Hunter.
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Mr Fautua claimed he and his staff wore masks, but when he was told that residents had said otherwise he said "I don't know what happened".
"I know the law, and some people they're not happy," he said.
"Only one time I spoke to police up here, they said we can't go back to Sydney after lockdown. That's why we work in Newcastle."
He began crying when he said he wanted to apologise to the people of Newcastle for what he had done.
"I'm so sorry," Mr Fautua said. "I not coming here to spread the COVID. I hope people understand.
"I really want to go back home. I got 10 children, I got 15 grandchildren, I miss my grandchildren. When I go I'll stay home."
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Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
