2.13pm: Colac’s Australian Lamb Company has closed its night shift after an employee returned a positive test to COVID-19.
The employee, who resides in Geelong, and ALC received the positive result last night and have tested employees deemed as close contacts today. Those employees must quarantine at home for 14 days following their test.
The infected employee last worked on Friday.
DHHS has advised ALC that the confirmed case is not linked to the original outbreak at the abattoir last month. The company’s other shifts can continue as normal while following the DHHS’ strict health and safety measures as part of stage four lockdown restrictions, which affect meatworks across Victoria.
ALC’s full statement is below:
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Where To Buy“The Australian Lamb Company (ALC) received a call last evening (24/8) from the Victorian
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) advising us that one of our employees had
tested positive for COVID-19.
“The employee, who resides in Geelong, last worked at the company on Friday the 21st August.
“We have been advised by health authorities that this new case is not linked to previous cases at ALC.
“In line with directions from DHHS, all close contact employees will be tested today and will be in quarantine for the next 14 days.
“Consequently, our production shift (PM) is currently closed, but all other shifts continue to operate.
“As well as meeting all of our return-to-work requirements, as set by the DHHS, we are implementing additional operational health and safety measures, including:
- Reduction in processing and employee numbers.
- Comprehensive daily Covid-19 surveillance testing by DHHS of our employees.
- Mandatory use of masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face shields.
- Maintenance of high standard cleaning practices already in place to operate as a domestically and globally licensed abattoir.
- Additional social distancing in canteen and amenity areas.
“Despite this being a difficult time for our employee who has tested positive, and for all of us working at ALC, we remain united in our effort to beat the pandemic.”
12.09pm: Colac’s Australian Lamb Company has confirmed a person linked to its facility has tested positive for COVID-19.
Local health authorities have this morning tested about 100 people connected to ALC that were identified as close contacts and will continue testing this afternoon.
ALC is collating details relating to the confirmed case and the worker’s movements and is expected to release a statement today.