a traffic light in front of a store: The man was not wearing a mask when he visited the store, authorities say. (Google Earth) © Provided by ABC NEWS The man was not wearing a mask when he visited the store, authorities say. (Google Earth) A man who tested positive for coronavirus after arriving in Tasmania from Iran left the hospital to enter self-isolation at home until the results came in, but visited a city supermarket to stock up on the way, authorities say.

Announcing the case at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Tasmania's Public Health director Mark Veitch said the 40-year-old man had "limited travel" in Launceston since arriving on Saturday from Iran, via Malaysia and Melbourne.

Today, at a press conference, Dr Veitch said it was "disappointing" the man — whose name has not been released — chose to visit the Woolworths store in Wellington Street, Launceston, on Sunday night.

"The man visited the supermarket after being told of the requirements of self-quarantine," Dr Veitch said.

He said the man "was not wearing a mask when he visited the supermarket", between the hours of 10:00pm and 10:15pm.

Pictures: Coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak


Dr Veitch asked people who visited the store at that time who feel unwell to contact their GP or report to the Launceston General Hospital.

Dr Veitch said the supermarket "is safe to visit" and underwent "normal cleaning".

He said authorities had so far managed to contact 13 of the 15 people who, according to airline records, were sitting near the man on Virgin flight VA-1368 on Saturday.

Efforts to find the remaining two who were close to him and others on the plane had been hampered by incorrect "phone numbers", Dr Veitch said.

"I have spoken to the man's physician … the man is doing well," Dr Veitch said.

On Monday, Health Minister Sarah Courtney said Tasmanians "are at low risk" after the man's positive test result.

"We will continue to keep the public fully informed," she said at the time.

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