Covid Victoria: Calls to review isolation policy over food supply concerns

Workers forced into Covid isolation across the supply chain has affected product availability at supermarkets.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council has called for food and grocery manufacturing and distribution workers to receive priority vaccination against the virus.

Concerns for Christmas food shortages are being flagged by the supermarket industry, as Covid-19 restrictions and workers in isolation continue to hit the supply chain.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council has called for food and grocery manufacturing and distribution workers to receive priority vaccination against the virus.

Covid-19 exposures across the supply chain has affected product availability at supermarkets, with the industry concerned for Christmas stock availability.

The council has also suggested fully vaccinated workers not need to isolate if they are deemed a close Covid-19 contact and have a negative test, in a bid to keep the supply chain moving.

While meat and seafood processing workers and other cold chain transportation workers have access to priority Pfizer appointments, food and grocery manufacturing and distribution workers do not.

AFGC chief executive Tanya Barden said if someone was double vaccinated, tested negative, and not symptomatic, “they should be able to return to work rather than going into quarantine, so they can keep production going and avoid these food shortages”.

“Manufacturers are under enormous pressure if economies open up in a couple of months and if we don’t get the right approach to close or casual contacts, there will be similar impact to the UK,” Ms Barden said.

The Victorian Department of Health said if there was risk to food supply presented in abattoirs and meat processing facilities, the chief executive of Agriculture Victoria or the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions could make recommendations to the chief health officer for an exemption.

Production and distribution of food and groceries for sale via supermarkets, butchers, fruit and vegetable stores, markets or fishmongers are listed as authorised providers and workers in ‘restricted areas’ in metropolitan Melbourne, according to DH.

A DH spokesman said the supermarket distribution industry has been provided priority access to Pfizer vaccines at state-run hubs for meat and seafood processing workers, “and through a comprehensive workplace program for distribution centres”.

“GPs and pharmacies have also played a vital role in vaccinating thousands of workers and their families,” the spokesman said.

Since the beginning of September, 56 premises were listed as Tier 1 exposure sites and 175 as Tier 2.

Nine Victorian supermarkets were added to the Victorian Government exposure site list on September 27, including regional supermarkets such as Coles Moe, Woolworths Morwell, and Woolworths Kilmore.

According to DH, under Victoria’s Road map restrictions are scheduled to ease for the supermarket and food distribution sector in line with vaccination thresholds.