Sheep and cattle sales will resume at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets next week.

NEW South Wales Health has approved the resumption of sheep and cattle sales at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets, cutting short what was to be a two-week closure after two people tested positive for COVID-19 at the facility.

A statement today to agents vendors and buyers the Dubbo Regional Council and Dubbo Stock and Station Agents said on the proviso of following of strict COVIDSafe protocols, NSW Health have provided approval for the reinstatement of sales at DRLM sales next week.

The sheep sale on Monday 13th September and prime cattle sale on Thursday 16th September will now be proceeding, the statement said.

In order to prioritise public health and safety attendance at the sale will include the following requirements:

Only pre-approved DRLM staff, DRLM agents, DSSA staff, genuine registered pre-approved commission/company buyers and carriers are permitted on site. Carriers must remain with their truck and must not attend the sale. Pre-approval attendance to sales is centrally coordinated by the DSSA secretary.

Upon entry, pre-approved attendees will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of each sale. After this surveillance testing, unless attendees are showing symptoms, or are an identified close or casual contact of a COVID-19 case, they will not need to isolate while awaiting results.

Mandatory check-in and fitted face masks are also a condition of entry to the sales, in line with NSW Health’s Public Health Order.

Strict distancing of buyers, agents and operational staff will be enforced, including issuing of fines for non-compliance by NSW Police.

Graziers who are delivering or collecting stock, but not attending the sale or interacting closely with sale attendees, do not need to show a negative test at the gate. The café will be operating in a takeaway only capacity – with mandatory COVID check in.

Advice regarding where to get surveillance testing was provided to pre-approved attendees by noon today. This will enable time for surveillance testing to be undertaken over the weekend in time for Monday’s sheep sale, the advice said. The requirements for surveillance testing within 48 hours to any sale will be in place for a fortnight; up to and including the cattle sale on Thursday 23rd September. Any individual concerns regarding ability to meet surveillance testing requirements are to be discussed with the DSSA secretary.