Four Melbourne tram routes disrupted after driver tests positive to Covid-19

Four major Melbourne tram routes will be ‘significantly disrupted’ after a driver returned a positive test result.

Disruptions are set to hit four major Melbourne tram routes after a driver tested positive to coronavirus. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

Disruptions are set to hit four major Melbourne tram routes after a driver tested positive to coronavirus.

The Department of Transport said a large number of drivers based at the Essendon and CBD depots had been forced into isolation as a result of the case.

This meant on Friday, routes 57, 58, 59 and 82 would be “significantly disrupted”, the department warned on Thursday night.

There were also expected to be further impacts over the weekend.

Four tram routes will be affected following a driver’s Covid-19 diagnosis. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

The affected routes were:

• Route 57 – West Maribyrnong to Flinders Street Station
• Route 58 – West Coburg to Toorak
• Route 59 – Airport West to Flinders Street Station
• Route 82 – Moonee Ponds to Footscray

“The positive case has meant that a significant number of drivers based at Yarra Trams’ Essendon Depot and City (Tram Hub) Depot have been required to isolate to keep everyone safe,” a statement read.

“The majority of these employees are secondary contacts and will be permitted to return to work after returning a negative test.

“Yarra Trams will endeavour to provide as regular a service as possible across the four most impacted routes, but a high number of service cancellations are expected.”

Victoria recorded 1438 new infections on Thursday, with Friday’s case numbers yet to be released.

Originally published as Four Melbourne tram routes disrupted after driver tests positive to Covid-19