Woolworths coronavirus outbreak: Melbourne distribution centres reopen

The supermarket giant has reopened its two distribution centres in Melbourne’s southeast after an outbreak of 18 coronavirus cases.

Woolworths has reopened its two distribution centres in Melbourne’s southeast as it continues to grapple with an outbreak of coronavirus at the sites.

At least 18 workers have contracted the virus since July 13, with the supermarket giant forced to shut it produce warehouse on Saturday after six confirmed cases in one day.

The adjacent Melbourne National Distribution Centre closed the following day after six more infections were confirmed.

A Woolworths spokesman said the Department of Health and Human Services had cleared both distribution centres to restart operations on Thursday.

“We will progressively ramp up operations and expect fruit and vegetable supply to our Victorian supermarkets to improve over the coming days,” he said.

“We thank our customers for their patience and understanding over recent days.”

Stock supply to Victorian stores has been “patchy” this week because of the distribution centre closures. It’s understood the produce warehouse delivers to every store in the state every day of the week.

The Woolworths distribution centre site in Mulgrave in Melbourne's southeast. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

The company has leaned on the distribution centre at Wodonga, a pop-up site in Somerton and third party providers to help deliver stock to supermarkets during the closures.

Hundreds of workers, both team members and contractors, have been directed by the DHHS to self-isolate until the end of the month and will need to return a negative test result before they are allowed to return to work.

A temporary testing facility has been set up in the Mulgrave site’s carpark.

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