Lilydale level crossing removal: Eight Covid cases linked to site

More Covid cases have been linked to the Lilydale level crossing removal site, as work stops on all crossing projects.

A worker at the Lilydale level crossing removal site has been diagnosed with Covid.

Eight Covid cases have now been linked to the Lilydale level crossing removal site.

It comes as work on all level crossing removal projects stops temporarily, as part of the State Government-mandated shutdown of construction.

The Maroondah Highway site was shut down last week after a worker tested positive to the virus.

According to the Government’s Covid website, there are now eight cases linked to the construction site in John St.

Victorian Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar said on Monday four more cases had been linked to the site, all members of the same household in Ballarat.

Mr Weimar said there were also 13 positive cases connected to a rail construction site in Gannawarra, in regional Victoria.

He said those cases were connected to the construction site in Lilydale.

“There are overlapping work teams across both those construction sites,” Mr Weimar said.

He said there had also been nine cases linked to a construction warehouse in Craigieburn.

A number of those workers live in the Mitchell Shire.

“I raise these different sites because we’ve seen over the last week not only a significant number of construction site exposures but also workers travelling between metro and regional Victoria,” Mr Weimar said.

“So either residing in regional Victoria and working in construction sites in metro Melbourne

or vice versa.

“And on that basis late on Friday, directions were updated to prevent and to stop construction workers who live in metro Melbourne working in regional Victoria and vice versa.”

Work has stopped at the Lilydale level crossing removal site after a positive Covid case.

The worker at the Lilydale site was diagnosed on Wednesday, September 15.

They worked a 12 hour shift from 6pm on Saturday, September 11, and presented with symptoms on Monday, September 13.

The worker did not attend the site after developing symptoms.

All close contacts have been asked to get tested and isolate immediately.

As a precaution, works have stopped on the project while contact tracing and deep cleaning is underway.

Traffic management will continue for the road closures at Maroondah Highway and John St.

In a statement, the Level Crossing Removal Project said: “We’re working closely with the Department of Health and our workforce to ensure the safest measures are carried out following the positive case.

“The Major Transport Infrastructure Authority has strict COVIDsafe plans across project sites to protect our workers and the community from the spread of coronavirus.

“All MTIA project sites, including the Level Crossing Removal Project, have strict rules around physical distancing, wearing masks, QR check-in codes and increased industrial cleaning.”

Crews removed the boom gates at the Maroondah Highway and Manchester Rd crossings last Saturday, as work began on a 45-day construction blitz.

Crews were set to carry out work around the clock to complete rail bridges and build new stations at Lilydale and Mooroolbark.

Buses are replacing trains between Ringwood and Lilydale for six weeks until Sunday October 24.

Work at the Mooroolbark level crossing removal site has also stopped after a worker was injured in an incident involving construction equipment last Friday.

It comes as construction workers in Victoria will soon be forced to show evidence to their boss that they have had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine if they want to keep their job.

Premier Daniel Andrews revealed the rule would come into effect from 11.59pm on September 23.