Meat workers orderd to self-isolate after eight COVID-19 cases linked to Keysborough butcher
Eight coronavirus cases have been linked to a family run butcher in Melbourne’s southeast after a man worked without knowing he was infected. But the proud owner is dedicated to staying transparent with customers and hopes to reopen next week.
South East
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Eight employees at a Keysborough butcher and egg farm have been ordered to self-isolate after testing positive to COVID-19.
Keysborough Egg Farm owner David Scaunich told the Leader the outbreak was sparked by a backroom employee who didn’t know he was infected when he came to work on July 17.
The shop shut immediately, however the disease has since spread to another seven employees, with four diagnoses announced on Sunday.
Mr Scaunich has been posting regular updates on the company’s Facebook page to keep his loyal customers informed.
“We shut the store down immediately but hope to open again next week … everyone’s now returning negative tests,” he told the Leader.
“Everybody’s scared and frightened … we don’t need to inflame it, we’re trying to do our jobs and do it well.”
The outbreak follows revelations that hundreds of Australian Meat Works Dandenong employees could be infected by the virus after two people with 550 registered close contacts tested positive.
Mr Scaunich said that none of his employees also worked at the abattoir, which is located 4km kilometres from the egg farm.
“As a small family business, we take pride in supporting and looking after not only our valued team members but also our customers,” he said in a statement online.
“We take very seriously our responsibility as a place to shop and as an employer.”
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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