Tree services staff test negative to COVID-19

The business was listed as a Tier 1B COVID-19 exposure site after a staff member returned a positive result.

Half of the business' 50-strong member team was tested and were isolating at home.

"We are pleased to announce that all staff who attended any shift from our Warrnambool depot at 4/24 Harrington Road on Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th of September and were therefore considered 'close contact' have tested NEGATIVE to Covid-19," the business wrote on its Facebook page.

"We would like to thank our employees, clients and the community for their genuine support at this time."

Earlier

Carter's Tree Services director Tim Carter has described being listed as a Tier 1B COVID-19 exposure site as a nightmare and one he wouldn't wish on anyone.

Half of his 50-member workforce has been tested and are isolating at home with their families after a staff member was identified as a close contact of a positive case.

Mr Carter said the staff member attended their Warrnambool shed on Monday and Tuesday. "On Tuesday afternoon we got a call from Barwon Health to say they were trying to get hold of our worker and to tell us he was a close contact to a positive case," Mr Carter said.

The worker was tested Wednesday morning and once he returned a positive result, staff were sent home to get tested and isolate.

"It's just unfortunate and you don't want to wish it on any other business or anyone," Mr Carter said.

"It truly is a nightmare. We went from happy-go-lucky, cruising, to four hours later in the afternoon when our whole world was turned upside down. That's how quick it happened.

"Everyone's got to follow all the rules because I can tell you it happens in the blink of an eye. We went from being normal busy to a nightmare.

"It's not just about us as a business," Mr Carter said. "It's about all our families who work for us who are in isolation and getting tested. We've got a lot of people who have young families. The flow-on effect is massive. It's gone from one case affecting 20 or 30 families who work for me now."

He said the premises had been deep cleaned and would continue to operate. "If anyone's working it means they weren't there Monday or Tuesday and they weren't close contacts," he said.

"Financially it really hurts us, but it's not about the money. We're a proud, professional business and we're dealing with it professionally. We're just taking it on the chin and doing everything right because it's bigger than our business. It's about the community and making sure we do everything right.

"Shutting our business, as much as it sucks and is going to cost us a lot of money, it's a necessity and a small part of a much bigger picture.

"Logistically we've got a great team and everyone's working flat out. We haven't had much sleep but we're on top of it. We've been working with WorkSafe, the Department of Health and Barwon Health. We're doing everything we can."

Mr Carter rang Warrnambool Sheetmetal owner Haydn Kavanagh, which was also this week identified as a Tier 1B exposure site to make sure he was okay. "I didn't know him but I thought at least the two of us are going through the same thing.

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