Midfield Meats, Australian Lamb Company close after coronavirus cases
Two regional meat processing plants have closed this week after an inspector tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend.
TWO regional meat processing plants have been shut down after an inspector tested positive to coronavirus over the weekend.
Both Midfield Meats in Warrnambool and the Australian Lamb Company in Colac are understood to have been shut down this morning.
Eight cases of coronavirus have been linked to the Australian Lamb Company, with the site shut for at least 14 days.
Midfield Meats spokesman Dean McKenna confirmed an inspector was on site in Warrnambool last Tuesday who had “close contact” with staff at the Australian Lamb Company in Colac.
“That inspector showed symptoms later in the week. He was tested and his results were positive yesterday,” Mr McKenna said.
“We made the decision to close. The health department told us in writing to work as normal but we chose not to work, as it was not clear who the inspector had been in contact with.”
Production at Midfield has been suspended today and tomorrow, with no buyers operating at markets.
More than 1000 Midfield Meats employees will be tested for COVID-19, Mr McKenna said.
The Australian Lamb Company issued a statement confirming a contractor was in self-isolation following a positive COVID-19 result on Friday July 10.
“All workers employed at the site have been instructed to quarantine and we continue to work
with health authorities to finalise testing,” the statement read.
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