Woolworths has closed two distribution centres in Melbourne until further notice after more employees tested positive to coronavirus in recent days.
Deep cleaning is now underway at the produce and sm카지노 national distribution centres located on the same property in Mulgrave in the city’s south-east.
Another 12 employees tested positive over the weekend in addition to five cases recorded last week.
The majority of cases were detected in Woolworths’ voluntary proactive COVID-19 testing program at the sites.
Thirteen of the 17 cases are from the produce distribution centre.
Two Woolworths distribution centres in Mulgrave have closed after 17 staff tested positive
A Woolworths spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the decision to close the produce distribution facility was made on Saturday night after six new cases were recorded.
Another six staff have since tested positive to take the weekend tally to 12.
The adjoining national distribution centre closed on Sunday night but has recorded no new infections since four staff tested positive last week.
The affected centres distribute fresh food and packaged items to a high number of Woolworths stores across Victoria.
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The supermarket chain doesn’t expect the closures to result in delivery delays or stock shortages at stores at this stage.
‘We’re currently using temporary measures to deliver produce from alternate distribution centres to ensure we can maintain fruit and vegetable supply in our Victorian supermarkets,’ a Woolworths statement read.
‘All other Victorian distribution centres remain open and continue to dispatch stock deliveries to stores as normal.’
Woolworths closed two distribution centres after 12 staff tested positive over the weekend.
Pictured are healthcare workers testing Melburnians at a testing facility in Hoppers Crossing
It’s currently unknown when the distribution centres will reopen.
‘While the results of surface testing for the presence of COVID-19 at both sites have come back negative, we’re putting our team and customers first by taking the precautionary measure to suspend operations,’ the Woolworths statement added.
‘We’ve conducted forensic cleaning at both centres and will work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to determine when the facilities can recommence operations.
‘We’ll provide our full support to any team member required to self-isolate in line with advice from the DHHS.’
Victoria’s second wave of infections continues to grow after 275 new cases were recorded on Monday.
Pictured are medical workers and police at a public housing tower in North Melbourne on Saturday, where residents remained in lockdown
Woolworths had implemented stricter health and safety controls at the sites since the first case was detected on July 13.
They include temperature checks and health screening of staff prior 샌즈카지노 to arrival, offering masks to workers, deployment of nurses at the affected sites and no access for 007카지노 non-essential personnel.
The latest shutdown comes after Woolworths recently temporarily closed a centre dedicated to fulfilling online orders after an employee tested positive.
It’s been another horror day for the outbreak in Victoria with 275 new cases recorded on Monday.
It’s the 15th consecutive day the state has recorded a triple-digit increase in new infections.