Covid-19 News Updates

JBS Brooklyn staff walk off the job over COVID-19 safety concerns

Update: Since publication JBS Australia has announced that the facility has reopened after a site inspector from Work Safe Victoria declared the site to be safe and ordered everybody back to work.

The UWU says JBS has agreed to a 30 minute separation between shifts, provided workers with details on cleaning regimes, and agreed to give workers a safety briefing before they start.

Staff at JBS Australia's meat processing plant in Brooklyn, Melbourne have ceased work this morning citing concerns that the company has handled site safety poorly during a COVID-19 outbreak.

The industrial action comes fifteen days after the JBS site was ordered to close by the Department of Health and Human Services and the confirmation of 71 positive cases of COVID-19 connected to the meatworks plant.

According to the United Workers Union (UWU), the Brazilian-owned company has not responded to workers' concerns about the safety of the site during this period of time.

"JBS has consistently failed their workforce by not communicating with their workers and by not consulting with their representatives," says UWU Victorian branch secretary Susie Alison.

"These workers have been battling through this crisis with almost no support. They don't want to have gone through all that only to walk back onto the floor and catch the virus.

"Workers across this country are getting wise to the way these companies think, that profit is more important than people. They are ready to fight for their safety."

In a notice to the company, JBS cold storage workers told the company that "without safe systems of work and without adequate information, instruction and training" there would be a "serious and immediate threat to health or safety, namely a high threat and degree of risk to the COVID-19 contagion".

Just last week the UWU accused JBS Australia of asking COVID-19 positive staff to return to work and reported that safety equipment including electronic thermometers was faulty.

UWU says it has heard reports of a worker who had returned to the site yesterday but had yet to complete their 14 days in isolation. That worker allegedly remained on site for more than one hour before being sent home.

Workers have also reported that social distancing measures at the Brooklyn site were inadequate, with afternoon and day shift crossing paths in a confined space with no social distancing, and balaclavas were being shared between workers.

The UWU says workers raised concerns with management that were "not taken seriously".

Staff have also allegedly been forced to isolate over the last two weeks, with many asked to draw upon their annual leave entitlements whilst others left without any income at all.

The union has been calling on JBS to provide additional paid leave for the workforce that has helped them continue to operate throughout the pandemic.

JBS Australia says it has tested its entire Brooklyn workforce and conducted a deep-clean of the entire facility.

"JBS Australia has worked hand in glove with DHHS to make the Brooklyn facility as COVID Safe as it's possible to be," says a JBS Australia spokesperson.

"Right now, our focus is on safeguarding the jobs of the 1230 Victorians who rely on us for their livelihood, safeguarding the supply of meat to both our local and export markets, and most importantly, doing whatever it is in our power to do to safeguard the health and well-being of our workers and the wider community in which we operate."

"Just yesterday, the AMIEU, with whom we have an excellent working relationship, went on record saying that they were satisfied we had done everything possible to make our workplace COVID Safe."

Updated at 9:16am AEST on 28 July 2020.

Victoria to get homeless into homes with $150m package

The Victorian Government has established a $150 million package designed to get the state's homeless into homes as the outbreak of COVID-19 in Melbourne continues.

Much of the State's ability to get on top of the outbreak in Melbourne hinges on the city's residents remaining at home, but that is difficult if you don't have a home to stay at in the first place.

The funding will help more than 2,000 Victorians out of homelessness and into their own homes and follows the State's move at the beginning of the pandemic to move people into vacant hotels.

That hotel accommodation program will also be expanded under the 'From Homelessness to a Home' package until at least April next year.

"This pandemic has laid bare many inequalities you can't stay home if you don't have one and you can't wash your hands regularly if you don't have access to the bare basics of hot water and soap," says Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

"This is our opportunity to help break the cycle of homelessness because now more than ever, home means stability, security and safety."

Under the program the State Government will arrange to lease 1,100 properties from the private rental market, providing a permanent home for people once they leave emergency accommodation.

In addition, the first of Victoria's promised 1,000 new social housing units are coming online now and will be used to support people to transition out of homelessness.

In addition to housing, Victoria will give those enrolled into the program access to mental health, drug & alcohol and family violence support for those that need it.

The funding will be allocated to homelessness agencies in both metropolitan and regional areas in order for tailored and responsive services to be delivered based on the needs of individuals.

Updated at 10:29am AEST on 28 July 2020.

Health warnings issued for Potts Point, Mount Pritchard

NSW Health has issued a public health warning for the Sydney suburbs of Potts Point and Mount Pritchard following the detection of two new COVID-19 cases.

Last night the department reported a new case of COVID-19 was linked to a staff member of The Apollo restaurant at Potts Point, showing a spread in the area after a worker at Thai Rock Potts Point tested positive.

The venue has been closed for cleaning, and anyone who attended the Greek restaurant from Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 July has been asked to quarantine for the equivalent of 14 days since their visit.

Furthermore, anyone who lives in or has visited the Potts Point area in the past two weeks has been urged to get tested if they have any symptoms of the virus. 

The second case in the warning relates to two venues in the South West suburb of Mount Pritchard attended by an individual with the virus - the RSL Mounties and nearby Pritchard's Hotel.

The timeframe for potential virus exposure at Mounties is similar to The Apollo, with people who attended also asked to isolate for 14 days and go for a test if they show any symptoms.

For Pritchard's Hotel there is a narrower timeframe under the lens of between 7pm and 7.45pm on 23 July, but NSW Health has not asked people who visited at that time to self-isolate but to get tested if they feel sick.

"Anyone feeling unwell even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat is urged to self-isolate and seek testing. Do not go to work or catch public transport until you are cleared of COVID-19," NSW Health said.

"If you are directed to self-isolate, you must remain in isolation for the full 14 days even if your initial test is negative. If you do develop COVID-19 symptoms, you should be retested, even if you have had a negative result previously."

There are a wide range of testing clinics in the area, and private testing is also available via GPs:

• St Vincent's clinic at the East Sydney Community Centre, 34-40 Burton Street Darlinghurst
• The Sydney Hospital Emergency Department
• A 'Pop-Up' COVID-19 testing clinic, The Albion Centre 150 Albion Street Surry Hills
• Kirketon Road Centre Mobile COVID-19 testing clinic, Walla Mulla Park, Woolloomooloo
• Prince of Wales Hospital, 14B Avoca Street Randwick
• Bondi Beach drive-through car park clinic

Updated at 9:08am AEST on 28 July 2020.

NT's hard border for Sydneysiders extended four weeks

The Northern Territory Government has decided to keep existing restrictions on travellers from Greater Sydney for a further four weeks, while the timeline for restrictions on Victorians remains indefinite.

In mid-July when Chief Minister Michael Gunner (pictured) said he wouldn't "roll the dice" on visitors from Sydney, he explained measures would be reviewed before the replication cycle ended in two weeks.

Now that date is around the corner, and a review has shown community transmission in the NSW presents a threat to the NT for the "foreseeable future".

"The outbreaks of concern are confined to Sydney, and they appear well managed but still growing," Gunner said.

"Based on this assessment and to provide certainty for all Territorians, we're extending our hotspot declaration to all of Greater Sydney for at least another four weeks - that is two more replication cycles on the virus.

"That means our borders will stay close to all of Greater Sydney - anyone who lives there, anyone who's been there - until at least Friday, the 28th of August. That is the earliest possible date before any change, but make no promises about that date."

For anyone who does come to the NT from Sydney, they will need to spend two weeks in hotel quarantine at their own expense of $2,500.

"For other local government areas in New South Wales that are currently declared hotspots, we will continue to monitor them regularly. They will stay as hotspots for the time being," he said.

"When we kept our borders closed in Victoria I said it was indefinite, and nothing has changed there. Frankly there is no end in sight right now in terms of when our border arrangements with Victoria will change. I would say it is months away at least.

"The situation there is grim, confronting and tragic. I know we are all thinking of friends and family in Melbourne right now. They are doing what needs to be done to be on top of this, not just to protect themselves but ultimately protect all of us."

The Chief Minister added an additional $20 million would be invested to recruit 130 extra police and support staff along with the purchase of 20 new police vehicles, in order to help man the borders and support communities. 

"The new recruits will include frontline constables, Aboriginal liaison officers, Aboriginal community police officers and support staff. Recruitment and training will begin straight away," Gunner said.

"The first crews will be on the job by October. The roll-out of the extra officers will continue through to November next year.

"The new recruits will help relieve the current rostering pressures, giving the cops on the borders a bit of a break. And it also means we'll be well prepared to cover any changes in support from the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Defence Force down the track."

Updated at 3:49pm AEST on 27 July 2020.

400 Victorian health workers now have COVID-19 as state reports record case numbers

"The lockdown will not end until people stop going to work with symptoms," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Victoria crossed the 500-mark for new daily COVID-19 cases today while 16 people in the state have passed away due to the virus in the past 48 hours. 

There have been six deaths from the virus in the past 24 hours, following the deadliest day yet for the state yesterday.

Premier Daniel Andrews reported 532 new cases this morning, taking the total number of active cases in Victoria to 4,542 of which around 400 are health workers.

There are now 245 people with COVID-19 in Victorian hospitals, including 44 in intensive care. 

Almost 700 active cases are currently connected in some way to aged care, and after detailing the numbers from various facilities the state's chief health officer Brett Sutton said it was difficult to read them out without considering the residents "will be people's parents, grandparents, great grandparents and they are at significant risk of dying".

"That's an an inescapable fact. In these settings where there are outbreaks in aged care, the mortality is extremely high," Sutton said.

Premier Andrews emphasised the biggest driver of COVID-19 transmission and numbers going up was people going to work when they had symptoms.

"If you are sick, even mildly, you just can't go to work. The only thing you can do is get tested - the only thing you can do is then wait at home," he said.

"If you are [COVID-19] positive then you'll need to be at home for that 14-day period."

Andrews has received feedback that some people are very reticent to discuss symptoms or a positive diagnosis with family members, but he said people shouldn't see a positive test as a reflection on themselves 

"This does not discriminate. No one will be criticised or judged for doing the right thing. That's exactly what we want to see happen," he said.

Victorian residents who are in financial distress and are concerned about taking time of work to get tested can call 1800 675 398 to receive an emergency Worker Support Payment.

"We have support in place. A $300 payment and then a further $1,500 payment if you are positive and need to isolate for that two-week period," he said.

Meanwhile, in New South Wales there were 17 new cases in the past 24 hours, of which eight were from hotel quarantine, eight were from known sources and one is under investigation.

There has been one more case linked to the Thai Rock restaurant in Potts Point, a sister venue of the Thai Rock in Wetherill Park where there have been three new cases.

101 people are now being treated for COVID-19 by NSW Health, including five people in intensive care and one person on a ventilator. 

A common theme in the NSW and VIC press conferences was business compliance with COVID-Safe practices, given workplaces are also a key driver of transmission.

"We've had nearly 150 additional inspections - in-person, on-site inspections - in a whole range of different higher-risk settings over the last week," Victorian Premier Andrews said.

"In the main those WorkSafe inspectors have have have found employers to be doing the right thing, employees to be doing the right thing; people taking this very, very seriously," he said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was really important for people to stay vigilant, but there has been a "marked improvement" in businesses being COVID-Safe.

"But we still have more to do. The rules came in on Friday and there has been a marked improvement, but our compliance officers and the police will be ever vigilant to clamp down any businesses that aren't COVID-Safe, but also on patrons who are doing the wrong thing," she said.

"At the end of the day it's up to all of us to keep getting tested if we have the mildest symptoms."

Updated at 11:55am AEST on 27 July 2020.

WA launches $5.5 billion economic recovery plan

Investments into shovel-ready projects, renewable energy technologies, and support for the tourism industry are on the cards as part of a $5.5 billion economic recovery plan in Western Australia.

Announced yesterday, the major investment is the next step in WA's COVID-19 roadmap intended to help the state bounce back from the pandemic's economic and social impacts.

As part of the plan WA will invest more than $60 million into shovel-ready maintenance upgrades to vital State Government facilities.

These include improvements to disability access at train stations, refurbishments of WA police stations, and upgrades to Volunteer and Career Fire and Rescue Service stations.

The work is expected to get underway within weeks, which will create an immediate boost in work for tradespeople like electricians, painters, plumbers, builders and carpenters.

Small businesses are set to receive $942.8 million in support that will go toward licence fee waivers, payroll and land tax assistance, and commercial rental support.

A further $66.3 million will go toward renewable energy projects intended to create jobs in the space and improve WA's renewable energy footprint.

The state's tourism industry will also be supported with a $14.4 million package, with roads, buildings and camps in state parks to be upgraded and airlines to be supported to create more affordable flights to regional destinations like Albany, Broome, Carnarvon, Esperance, Kununurra, and Monkey Mia.

The total package includes $2.77 billion in relief and stimulus already approved during the COVID-19 package.

"While COVID-19 is not over, as a result of our success here in WA, we have been able to commence our recovery and that started with the WA roadmap of easing restrictions," says WA Premier Mark McGowan.

"The WA Recovery Plan will help drive the economic and social recovery across the State, to ensure we can recover, stronger than ever.

"This comprehensive plan is unlike anything we've ever seen before in WA. It will deliver a pipeline of short and long-term jobs for Western Australians, supporting and strengthening our existing industries, as well as laying the foundation for jobs of the future."

Updated at 10:19am AEST on 27 July 2020.

COVID-19 comes to Potts Point as worker at second Thai Rock restaurant tests positive

NSW Health has asked anyone who attended the Thai Rock restaurant at Potts Point between 15 and 25 July to self-isolate and get tested after a worker tested positive to COVID-19.

The new advice follows an investigation into a case announced by NSW Health last week who had reported attending Thai Rock Potts Point on 17 July.

The venue is a sister venue to the restaurant of the same name in Western Sydney that has sparked a significant cluster of COVID-19 infections, with six new cases yesterday connected to that outbreak and 67 in total.

Thai Rock Potts Point has been closed for cleaning and investigation into the source of the infection and contact tracing is underway. In a statement released yesterday NSW Health said investigations to date have not identified links between cases at the two sites.

In addition, a couple who were reported with COVID-19 yesterday attended two restaurants while infectious: An Restaurant Bankstown on 23 July, from 9-11am, and Tan Viet Noodle House (AKA Crispy Chicken Noodle House) Cabramatta on the 22 July, from 1-2pm.

Anyone who attended either of these restaurants at these times should monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and seek testing if they appear.

Fourteen new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in NSW yesterday, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,479.

Australia suffers through deadly weekend

Yesterday was Australia's deadliest day in the pandemic to date, with Victoria reporting 10 new deaths and 459 new cases of COVID-19.

Of the new cases, 82 are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 377 are under investigation.

228 people are in hospital, including 42 patients in intensive care.

These figures added to Saturday 25 July's new numbers of 357 and five new deaths.

"I will say is these things change rapidly, but these numbers are far too high," said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

"There are 10 families that are going to be burying someone in the next few days.

"Wear a mask. It's not too much to ask."

There are currently 4,233 COVID-19 cases active in Victoria, and 3,680 people have recovered from the virus.

Globally the situation is still dire, with more than 16 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported since the beginning of the pandemic.

The United States is still the country in the worst position, reporting more than 67,000 cases just yesterday and close to 1,000 deaths.

In total there have been more than 4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the USA.

Updated at 9:30am AEST on 27 July 2020.

SA to close border with VIC to returning residents, new gathering restrictions incoming

From midnight on Tuesday all travellers from Victoria including South Australian residents will not be allowed to cross the border into SA, strengthening an already hard border.

Previously, residents returning to the state from Victoria were permitted to cross the border, but because of the ongoing crisis in Melbourne Premier Steven Marshall says the new measure is necessary to protect South Australians.

Further, Marshall has reimposed some restrictions on gatherings including capping home gatherings at 50 people, as well as weddings and funerals at 100 attendees. Both of these measures will also come into place from midnight on Tuesday.

It comes as 95 per cent of all cases in South Australia in the last two weeks had originated from Victoria, including the three new cases the state reported this week.

"We've got to do everything we can now to protect ourselves against seeding from Victoria coming across that border," says Marshall.

"There are currently in excess of 100 outbreaks in Victoria. This is of great concern to us, most importantly of concern is that the vast majority of the cases which have been identified in recent weeks are still under investigation.

"We do remain very concerned about what is happening in Victoria. We have a hard border arrangement with Victoria; we do not plan to lift this anytime soon."

There will still be some exemptions for travellers coming across the border into SA including for essential workers, but applications for exemptions will need to be approved by SAPOL.

SA's Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier today confirmed that her department has received more than 100 applications for COVID management plans in recent weeks.

COVID management plans are currently mandatory for certain businesses classified as 'high risk' to operate.

Of those 100 the department has determined 60 are to do with 'high risk' activities. As such, the department will hold off on approving the applications "for a couple of weeks" while the state observes the situation in Melbourne.

However, in good news for local footy fans, Suprrier announced today that the department has signed off on seven COVID management plans from the SANFL, meaning spectators can go out and watch the footy once again.

"Now you might say 'How can that be?' when the Premier has just announced that in fact we are reducing caps on these family gatherings," says Spurrier.

"The SANFL, obviously with football, is outside so that is lower risk.

"But at least we have some good news for footy fans and our local footy fans that there are going to be larger numbers allowed from this weekend for the SANFL."

Updated at 3:28pm AEST on 24 July 2020.

JBS Australia accused of asking COVID-19 positive staff to return to work

Meat processor JBS Australia has been accused of allegedly asking staff that tested positive for COVID-19 to return to work at a site in Brooklyn, Melbourne, along with other breaches of virus restrictions.

According to the United Workers Union (UWU), the company allegedly placed profits over safety and has put workers' lives at risk during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria.

A spokesperson from the UWU, Susie Allison, says the organisation has "serious concerns" about the company's handling of safety during the pandemic.

The union alleges that JBS asked COVID-19 positive workers to return to the Brooklyn abattoir and tested workers on site without proper safety precautions in place.

"We have had reports of overcrowding in the locker rooms with little regard for social distancing. We have been told about the use of faulty electronic thermometers," says Allison.

"Workers were tested onsite at JBS in Brooklyn. The Union supports worksite testing as a quick and efficient way of ensuring workers have access to testing.

"However, we're concerned about JBS's oversight of this process and management's commitment to safety. We have heard worrying stories of people who have tested positive being asked by the company to return to the site."

The union has also criticised the company for not supporting affected workers with paid pandemic leave, leaving staff in a dire financial situation.

"Workers at JBS have continued to work at a back-breaking pace to keep up with panic buying, even during the worst of the pandemic, and in return, the company needs to ensure all workers are paid during the site closure, which has been brought about through no fault of their own.

"JBS must share profits with workers by paying all workers pandemic leave for the duration of the shutdown."

JBS has been contacted to confirm the UWU's allegations but Business News Australia has not received a statement from the meat processor at the time of writing.

The allegations come as Victoria has reported 300 new cases of COVID-19 today, including six new deaths connected to aged care facilities.

51 of the new cases are connected to known and contained outbreaks and 249 are still under investigation.

The UWU's allegations also follow the New South Wales government announcing it has fined three businesses in the State for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

NSW says it has completed 1,131 pub inspections and has issued three fines to businesses non-compliant with the rules including the Star Sydney, the Golden Sheaf Hotel and the Auburn Hotel.

There have been seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in NSW today.

Updated at 12:08pm AEST on 24 July 2020.

Ruby Princess passengers launch class action over alleged COVID-19 mishandling

Law firm Shine Justice (ASX: SHJ) has filed a class action against the operators of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, Carnival Plc and Princess Cruise Lines, over the alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 outbreak on board.

The law firm is seeking compensation through the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of passengers, their families and the estates of those who died.

Shine class actions practice leader Vicky Antzoulatos says it is alleged the defendants broke consumer laws by breaching consumer guarantees and by engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct.

Further, Shine alleges the operators of the Ruby Princess were negligent and failed in their duty of care to provide passengers with a safe cruise.

"We say the owner and operator knew of the risks that passengers may contract coronavirus before the ship left and they failed to take steps to ensure their passengers were safe and protected," says Antzoulatos.

"People on board the ship trusted Carnival to do the right thing but they were not told about the risk of coronavirus and some paid the ultimate price for it.

"More than 20 people have died, many remain gravely ill, while others struggle daily with the grief of having lost a loved one or having to care for a very sick relative."

All 2,700 passengers who travelled on the Ruby Princess, departing from Circular Quay on 8 March and disembarking on 19 March, 2020, are eligible to join the class action, as are relatives who have suffered a psychiatric injury as a result of the events that occurred.

The executors and administrators of deceased passengers' estates are also eligible to participate in the class action.

More than 600 people linked to the cruise ship outbreak were infected with COVID-19, with the situation sparking a Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess in mid-April.

Updated at 9:22am AEST on 24 July 2020.