The Victorian Livestock Exchange (VLE) has closed the gate to non-essential personnel in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, effective immediately.
VLE managing director Wayne Osborne said on Tuesday 17 March the saleyards would limit access just to people needed at sales, in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.
“We’re limiting access to stockagents, people actually buying, the tansporters and our own staff,” Mr Osborne said.
“Everyone else should avoid attending, in the interests of public health.”
Mr Osborne said the VLE had been in contact with stock agents on Tuesday, and asked them to pass onto their clients the need to limit attendance as much as possible.
He said that for the meat companies, the last thing they wanted was for someone to pick up the virus and then transport it back to the processing works.
“No one wants the food supply affected,” he said.
The restrictions will be in place until further notice.
