WEST Melbourne sheep, goat and calf processor Cedar Meats has been forced to close for second time to this year due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

A statement from the company on Friday said it received a phone call from the Department of Health and Human Services public health team that a Cedar Meats staff member had tested positive to the coronavirus.

The staff member had last worked on site on Wednesday 22 July, 2020, the company said.

“We have followed DHHS advice and had all close contacts of that staff member tested on site today (Friday) at our premises in Brooklyn.

“We have asked all of our staff to isolate until further notice, as per government guidelines. Our main priority is our staff’s health and wellbeing,” the Cedar Meats statement said.

“We will continue to follow the advice of DHHS as we await the results of the testing undertaken today.

“The management of Cedar Meats is thankful for the support and advice of the public health team at DHHS.”

The first Cedar Meats staff hit by COVID-19 had their infection confirmed on 2 April, prompting the abattoir to be closed on 1 May for 14 days for cleaning and infection control. The number of COVID-19 infections connected with the abattoir workforce grew to 111; however, the company resumed livestock processing on May 28, before being struck by this latest infection.