Woolies suspends meat from abattoir as SA economic recovery on track

Woolworths has suspended meat supply from a Naracoorte abattoir over Covid protocol concerns. It comes as brighter news about the economy is released.

Woolworths has suspended meat supply from a Naracoorte abattoir after concerns over an exemption which allowed Covid-positive workers to attend the meatworks site

In a statement to The Advertiser, a Woolworths spokeswoman said the supply from Teys South Australia had been temporarily suspended.

It said Woolworths was working with Teys, SA Health and SafeWork SA to “understand the protocols currently in place for their team and operations”.

“We were not involved in the decision approved by SA Health to introduce exceptional temporary Covid measures at the site last week.

“We expect all of our suppliers to adhere to the Covid safety protocols set by their relevant state authorities.”

A statement from SA Health last week said: “To ensure food security, SA Health has allowed a small group of critical staff who have tested positive and are asymptomatic, to continue to work in an isolated area away from others”.

The exceptional circumstances for which the exemption was offered have since lapsed, SA Health said.

Woolworths has suspended meat supply from a Naracoorte abattoir. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

ECONOMY HOLDING UP

New data has also revealed South Australia’s economy has held strong in the face of surging Covid case numbers and now has an opportunity to “bake in” the windfall of the last two years, according to a new national economic report.

Deloitte Access Economics said the state’s economy had successfully weathered the removal of hard border restrictions and subsequent spread of the Omicron variant, and its recovery remained on track.

“Success required both strong health outcomes and strong government support,” the latest Business Outlook said. “SA aced that double.”

South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas speaks at a Covid update press. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

The report, entitled Boosters versus Omicron, said the state’s high level of both public and private investment were promising signs for the future of the economy, and housing construction is “rocketing along”.

It said the recent rise in cases should come as no surprise given the infectiousness of the new variant, however the numbers were “denting the confidence of a state that’s been essentially Covid-free until now”.

“Locals are therefore hesitant from getting out and about with cases in the community,” it said. “The current period of adjustment is one to watch.”

The report went on to say the “biggest thorn” in South Australia’s economic recovery has been families, who have been “better at saving than spending”.

Treasurer Rob Lucas welcomed the report’s findings and agreed the state must capitalise on its pandemic wins.

“While there are more South Australians employed than ever before, with SA the fastest-growing economy in the nation, it’s important that we keep the momentum going to ensure SA’s strong economic recovery from the global Covid-19 pandemic continues,” he said.

He urged South Australians to continue to support local businesses, many of which have been affected by new restrictions imposed in late December to curb the spread of Covid.