NSW Nestle factory closed over worker’s positive Covid test after truck driver visit

A Nestle factory in regional NSW, more than 3 hours from Sydney, has been closed after one of its staff members tested positive to Covid-19.

A Nestle factory in regional NSW has closed and a worker has tested positive for Covid-19 after coming into contact with a truck driver carrying the virus.

The company’s facility in Blayney in the central west was closed on Sunday and all staff ordered to isolate after the visit last week.

In a statement Nestle said the infected worker was “doing reasonably well” and had been in isolation.

“The person is among the small number of people identified by NSW Health as close contacts of a truck driver who tested positive following visiting the site last week,” the company said.

“All close contacts have been tested, and all have been directed to self-isolate by NSW Health. In addition, NSW Health has asked that we close the site.

“Our immediate concern since becoming aware of the possibility of contact at the site has been to protect our workers and the community.”

Staff at the facility have been tested. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Nestle has closed its site for cleaning and traced its employees’ movements to assist NSW Health.

Blayney is more than a three-hour drive from Sydney, and has a population of about 7350.

A drive through testing clinic has been set up at the Blayney Showground.

There are also clinics in surrounding towns at Mount Panorama in Bathurst, the Parkes showground and at several locations in Orange.

NSW Health revealed on Sunday a truck driver from Rooty Hill in Sydney’s west had delivered pet food to depots in Blayney and Parkes across three days last week.

The driver has since tested positive to the virus.

Earlier on Tuesday NSW Health announced a case linked to the driver had visited a private premises in Cootamundra, located about 190km from Blayney.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District said the person visited a private residence in the town on July 16 and that they had subsequently tested positive.

Household members have been identified as close contacts, and those people are in self-isolation and have been tested.

“No community risk has been identified at this time,” the local health district said in a statement.

A mobile testing clinic was set up at the Cootamundra Showground at 47 Pinkerton Road and will be open between 10am and 4pm.

There were 78 new coronavirus cases announced in NSW on Tuesday, with 27 of them infectious while in the community.