Winton residents are without their volunteer fire brigade after its firefighters were identified yesterday (12 February) as close contacts to a positive COVID-19 case.

Southland Fire and Emergency (SFE) advise all the brigade's fire trucks will be out of action until the town's firefighters get tested and come out of isolation.

In the meantime neighbouring volunteer brigades including Browns, Dipton, Wallacetown and career firefighters from Invercargill, will provide support until Winton’s fire trucks are back in service.

The Winton Volunteer Fire Brigade's Chief Fire Officer Stephen Milne declined to comment.

It is unknown how many local businesses are affected by the brigade's lockdown. The local brigade had 99 callouts in 2019.

Fire and Emergency assured the Winton community on its social media page that the organisation has contingency plans in place and will always respond when needed.

The Ministry of Health advises there are currently 16 active case of COVID-19 in the Southern District Health Board area.