Coronavirus Queensland: Mine workers cleared after virus fears

The coronavirus test results of two staff members at a coal mine in central Queensland have come back negative after fears were ignited when they were placed in isolation.

TWO staff members at Glencore’s Hail Creek coal operation in central Queensland have been cleared after being tested for coronavirus and placed in isolation.

The Courier-Mail has seen a memorandum sent by the mine to employees and contractors on Friday that said: “Both (staff members) have either recently travelled overseas or been in contact with people who have recently travelled overseas”.

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In a statement, Glencore said its key priority was to protect the health and well-being of its employees.

“We have activated local response plans in accordance with our company protocols and ongoing advice from Federal and Queensland Government Health authorities,” he said.

“At both global and local levels, Glencore has also engaged specialist external medical expertise to guide our planning and, if needed, response measures.

“We will continue to support our employees, provide further updates on COVID-19 to our workforce and implement our local response plans.”

Hail Creek Mine, west of Mackay.

More to come.