26/7/2021

To all our valued clients

 

While this communique` is detailedwe respectfully ask that you take the time to read through it completely.

 

As many of you are aware, last Monday the Covid-19 pandemic came calling at the door of our Melbourne office!

 

On Monday evening (July 19 approximately 8pm) we were notified that one of our Victorian warehouse workers had rec’d a positive Covid-19 test result.

 

We immediately implemented our disaster protocols, notifying the Victorian health department, shutting down our Derrimut site & instructed ALL warehouse staff to immediately isolate & get tested.

 

Once we completed our shutdown process we contacted cleaners & started preparing for a full COVID-19 three stage deep clean of the facility.

 

On Tuesday with the co-operation, advice and assistance of the Health department, we started building a full contact list of workers, contractors & visitors to the site for the week prior. Our QR code & biometric time and attendancescanning processes greatly assisted in being able to provide the department with lists by midday (approx.). By which stage deep cleaning was already underway.

 

Throughout the day further DHHS enquiries lead to an extension of the initial exposure period of July 17-18-19. The updated exposure period was set at July 13, 12.01am through to July 19 11.59pm. (6 full days)

 

It appears the concerns around the contagious nature of the “delta variant” has health authorities taking more extensive measures than previously seen through this pandemic!

 

This now meant our office team, who had left the office the previous Thursday (due to Gov’t work from home orders) were dragged into the exposure period & were also deemed Primary Close Contacts.

 

At this point I should recognise that our team’s response was absolutely exceptional as they all immediately swung into action & were all tested within an hour of being informed. (a truly amazing effort indeed)

 

Fast forward 24 hours & by 8pm Wednesday we had received authorisation to reopen the facility.

 

The next challenge was to restart operations with an entirely new contract labour force (as almost everyone was caught up in the 6 day exposure period and was required to self-isolate for 14 days). Which we were able to do by 8am on Thursday.

 

We were able to draw on the 2 people not caught up in the isolation, as well as our sister company in Triangle Logistics. They have been our eyes & ears since Thursday & will continue until more of our team are released from isolation. We must acknowledge their amazing commitment to our clients & the business. We simply cannot thank them enough.

 

In a promising sign, all people (bar 1) have been tested & we understand that all have returned Negative results. We are continuing to monitor this directly with the Department hour by hour, day by day.

 

While it is of little assistance at the moment, it has been gratifying to receive very positive feedback from the department on our existing Covid safe policies & processes.

 

Additionally the department (all the way to the highest levels) have recognised our ability to swing into action, provide such comprehensive data/information & cooperate with them every step of the way. We have made their difficult task much easier than many other Tier 1 exposure sites & for that they have continued to thank us. Our COVID safe procedures certainly proved sound when under the test and the many measures that we have in place, seemed to have prevented what could have been something far worse.

 

What does this mean to our overall operations?

 

Freight Forwarding, Customs Clearance, shipment deliveries continue as normal.

• Our team are working remotely & without any issues.
• Please continue to interact with them all as normal.

 

Warehouse operations are restricted at this time.

• Focussing on outbound operations, but again at a limited level.
• Managing client requirements on a case by case basis at the moment.

 

We sincerely thank all those warehouse clients who have been understanding & working closely with us through this difficult time. We are progressively increasing activities each day, but still ask for your assistance this week.

 

Throughout this entire Covid pandemic our very first priority has been the safety & wellbeing of our people. With every changing circumstance we continue to react & take further steps to protect them against Covid-19 to the best of our ability.

 

We humbly apologise for the disruption this has caused & again thank you for your patience & understanding as we work our way back to normal operations.

 

Sincerely

 

Michael Bourne

Director

Back to News Page