Amazon online delivery delays impact thousands of Australian customers

The online retailer has been forced to shut down its Sydney distribution centre after two employees tested positive for the virus.

Thousands of Amazon customers will be impacted after the online retailer’s major distribution centre was shut down due to positive Covid-19 cases.

The 44,000 sqm Sydney distribution centre, stocked with half a million products, has been shut down while being deep cleaned after two employees tested positive for the virus.

More than 100 casual workers have been impacted by the closure of the online goliath’s main Australian distribution centre in Moorebank.

Director of Operations Amazon Craig Fuller said they are following the health advice. Picture: Damian Shaw

Amazon Australia Director of Operations Craig Fuller said the company is following the directions of NSW Health.

“We are supporting two team members as they isolate at home. The safety of our people remains our highest priority and we have taken prompt, proactive measures to ensure the safety of employees at our site. We are working with NSW Health and will continue to follow their guidance,” he said.

The centre is now unable to ship tens of thousands of orders.

Amazon is reportedly trying to manage the backlog by increasing the amount of products shipped from centres in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

Amazon's fulfilment centre in Moorebank has over 100 employees. AAP IMAGE.

The Australian reported that casual staff were informed about the outbreak on Monday morning.

“Following two confirmed cases of Covid-19 at our Sydney fulfilment centre (BWU1), and out of an abundance of caution to enable further investigations, Amazon are temporarily pausing operations at BWU1/BWU1. As a result, there may be shift changes at your site,” the message said.

Amazon employees who are close contacts have already been notified by NSW Health and have been told to self-isolate for two-weeks.

The company is confident the majority of the orders will be able to be filled from other distribution centres across the country.

Originally published as Amazon online delivery delays impact thousands of Australian customers