Work at Cedar Meats will return to normal this week after being linked to a mega virus outbreak
The abattoir at the centre of Victoria’s largest coronavirus outbreak will restart all aspects of its business this week. At least 111 cases have been linked to Cedar Meats. It comes as McDonald’s restaurants reveal plans to temperature test staff.
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The abattoir at the centre of Victoria’s largest coronavirus outbreak is set to return to full operation on Thursday.
Cedar Meats - which has been linked to at least 111 coronavirus cases - has announced it will restart all aspects of its business including processing livestock this week.
All staff medically cleared by the Department of Health to return to work were called to a return to work information session at the Brooklyn meat processing plant today, with Cedar Meats general manager Tony Kairouz saying about 300 workers would restart this week.
“I am really looking forward to having the Cedar family back together. As a management team we have spent the last few weeks working closely with DHHS and WorkSafe to ensure that we are returning in the safest possible manner,” Mr Kairouz said.
“Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy environment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The control measures will be regularly updated to reflect changes resulting from Government announcements, directions of the Victorian Chief Health Officer and best practices for the sector.”.
The size and questions of the initially handling of the Cedar Meats outbreak has led to calls for inquiries into outbreak, however Mr Kairouz said the safety and wellbeing of all people “will always be our number one priority and inherent in that is a happy place to work and thriving business that provides security of income to our people and their families”.
“I’d personally like to thank both DHHS and Worksafe for being available to us at all hours and answering the many questions we have had about how we move forward,” he said.
“We have done everything possible to provide a safe work environment for our staff.”
EIGHT NEW CASES RECORDED OVERNIGHT
A Rydges on Swanston hotel worker is among eight new coronavirus cases confirmed overnight, while another two cases have been detected in staff members at Lynden Aged Care in Camberwell.
Three cases are now linked to that aged care facility.
Other cases include one returned traveller, three cases identified by routine testing and one case is under investigation.
The cause of the hotel worker’s infection is under investigation, as Rydges is being used to quarantine returned travellers and is not open to the public.
The health department said “relevant parts” of the hotel would be cleaned thoroughly.
Close contacts of the aged care workers have been identified and quarantined, while the facility has been in lockdown since the first case on May 19.
It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews announced the Royal Commission in Victoria’s Mental Health System would be granted a three month extension.
It will now hand down its final report in February 2021.
The commission will also look further at issues to do with social isolation and loneliness that have been brought to the forefront during coronavirus restrictions.
MCDONALD’S TO TEMPERATURE TEST WORKERS
Thousands of McDonald’s workers across the state will undergo temperature checks before starting their shift in a bid to stop further coronavirus outbreaks within the fast food chain.
McDonald’s Australia has confirmed they are currently trialling temperature checks of staff in all of its Victorian restaurants.
Victorian outlets are the only stores trialling the strict new measures, with employees in other states and territories free to start work without being checked.
A McDonald’s spokeswoman said the temperature checks were non-invasive and would be conducted by a manager using a contact-free thermometer.
“It is compulsory that an employee undergoes a temperature check before they are permitted to start a shift,” she said.
“We are currently trialling the use of temperature checks in Victoria in accordance with the State Government’s previously published advice and the best interests of the health and safety of our people and customers.
“As stated by the government, staff are directed to stay at home if they have a fever - a temperature of 37.5C or greater or if they have any symptoms.”
McDonald’s was forced to close 12 northern suburbs restaurants last week after a truck driver for an external service provider tested positive for COVID-19.
All 12 restaurants reopened last week after being deep cleaned.
Potential close contacts and hundreds of employees who worked shifts during and after the truck drivers’ delivery are currently serving 14 days in quarantine.
There have been no new coronavirus cases linked to the Fawkner McDonald’s outbreak since May 18, with the number of cases in the cluster still at 12.
POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO STAY CLOSED
Some of Victoria’s most popular outdoor tourist attractions will remain closed after restrictions ease next week.
Despite camping and other outdoor pursuits allowed again from Monday, Victorians keen to hit the great outdoors will be unable to visit some of the state’s most popular sites.
The Buchan Caves Reserve, William Ricketts Sanctuary, the Point Nepean National Park and the Twelve Apostles lookouts will all remain closed.
The penguin viewing platform at St Kilda Pier, Werribee Park mansion tours and the State Coal Mine will also not be reopened.
The sites will remain closed to comply with physical distancing measures.
Parks Victoria said yesterday it was unclear when the sites could reopen.
Many campgrounds could also remain closed because they cannot meet requirements that will remain in force with the easing of restrictions.
Parks Victoria is currently assessing campsites across the state to determine which can be reopened safely from Monday.
A Parks Victoria spokesman said all campgrounds and accommodation that required the use of communal areas, such as shared bathrooms and kitchens, would remain closed.
Victorians wanting to book campsites remain unable to do so as Parks Victoria continues its assessment.
Despite other tourism operators including the Big 4 holiday parks and RACV Resorts reopening bookings this week Parks Victoria said it was still not in a position to do so.
It expects online bookings to reopen before Sunday.
From Monday parks across the state may reopen for hiking and other recreational activities.
Already Victorians desperate to escape lockdown have started flocking to Victoria’s national parks.
Parks Victoria recorded high visitation at sites including Great Otway National Park, Organ Pipes National Park and Yarra Ranges National Park.
And there were threats to shut Warburton’s Redwood Forest after thousands of people flouted social distancing rules and flocked to the popular tourist attraction.
Individuals who ignore the closures of any of the outdoor sites face fines of $1,652.
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