Move FM Regional news

CENTRAL WEST, NSW, Australia – A teenager in the Central West is facing charges after he allegedly caused a worksite to be shut down on Friday over a Covid-19 scare.

The 18-year old youth allegedly faked a Covid-19 test result thereby creating a false alarm.

He was tested in the New South Wales Central West city of Dubbo on Thursday and received a negative result around 6:00am on Friday.

He apparently then altered the message so that it showed that he had tested positive, and he then sent it to a group chat. One of the workers at the worksite received the message and established that he was a close contact. He then contacted his company and the worksite where he was working was shut down. All workers at the site were instructed to present themselves for testing.

It is unclear as to how the manipulation was uncovered however officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District were alerted a short time after and commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, the 18-year-old was charged through a Court Attendance Notice with false representation resulting in police investigation.

The police charge would indicate the young man did not intend to cause any mischief, but rather it appears it was a prank that resulted in unintended consequences,

The teenager is due to appear before the Dubbo Local Court (pictured) on Monday 27 September 2021.