The Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets centre will close for two weeks after more COVID-19 cases were confirmed.

DUBBO’s sheep and cattle saleyards has been forced to close for two weeks after another two people who worked at the centre in the past week tested positive for COVID-19.

The Dubbo Regional Council has said that on the advice of NSW Health and the need for industry certainty, Dubbo’s sheep sale scheduled for Monday 6 September and Monday 13 September, and the prime cattle sale on Thursday 9 September and 16 September will not proceed.

A person who was working at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets on August 26 had also tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the deep cleaning of the facility and postponement of the regular cattle sale until the following Saturday.

The council said it was working closely with NSW Health to identify close and casual contacts. The decision to cancel sales for two weeks from 6 September was made after the council, the Dubbo Stock and Station Agents (DSSA) and key industry stakeholders consulted with NSW Health.

The council said that in the best interest of animal welfare, this week’s rescheduled prime cattle sale set for new time of 9am on Saturday 4 September will still proceed; however, there will be very strict conditions placed on people who are attending this sale. These conditions will includes very limited access and staffing, and rapid onsite COVID-19 testing upon entry.

The DLRM has already undergone a deep clean in line with the standards identified by public health and Safe Work NSW, and is prepared for the limited operations of the prime cattle sale on Saturday 4 September at 9am, adhering to strict COVIDSafe protocols.

RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE FOR PRIME CATTLE SALE SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2021:

Only pre-approved DRLM Staff, DRLM agents, DSSA staff, genuine registered commission/company buyers and carriers are permitted on site. Pre-approval attendance to this sale is centrally coordinated by DSSA Secretary.

There will be a requirement to undertake on-site rapid testing prior to the sale. Instructions will be provided this afternoon (Friday 3 September) to pre-approved attendees.

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

There will be no cafe in operation. Strict distancing of buyers, agents and operational staff will be enforced.

Any attendee not adhering to the strict protocols in place will be instructed by management to leave the facility and potentially face further exclusions from DRLM. These protocols are to protect the people who attend the markets, and to ensure the long-term viability of the industry. Please contact your manager or agent should you have any further questions.