By Jessica Anstice
Two workers have tested positive to coronavirus at the Pakenham East Train Maintenance Depot in Nar Nar Goon.
The first staff member tested positive on Friday 3 July and worked one shift at the depot while potentially infectious and has since been in self-isolation.
The second worker tested positive on Monday 6 July and also worked a shift while non symptomatic.
All staff entering the site are temperature checked and neither worker had any symptoms.
The co-workers identified as close contacts have been self-isolating for 14 days and none have tested positive.
Around 160 staff who have been onsite since 19 June are being tested on the advice of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
High Capacity Metro Trains testing at the Pakenham East Depot was put on hold until the site had been declared safe.
“We will only allow staff back to work at the site once they’ve tested negative. DHHS has advised the site can now reopen,” a Transport Department spokesperson said.
“The staff members were not in close contact with any members of the public during this shift and were stationed at the Pakenham East facility for the duration of their shifts.”
The Pakenham East Depot has implemented a range of Covid-19 controls including temperature testing on site entry, social distancing, and regular cleaning of train interfaces and touch points.
As an additional precaution, the areas in which the staff were working in have undergone deep cleaning and sanitation.
