Agriculture Victoria is urging farmers to have a plan in place to protect their farm business from the impacts of Covid-19.
Agriculture Services director Leanne Rosewall said it was important that COVIDSafe Plans were up to date and that farmers had a plan for how their business would cope if they or one of their workers needed to self-isolate.
“Particularly with the grains and horticulture harvest seasons approaching, producers want to avoid untimely disruptions to farm operations,” she said.
“Our dairy farmers and livestock producers also need to consider how milking would continue and how animals could be cared for if they became unwell.”
With state border restrictions in place in many places across the country, Ms Rosewall said farmers and farm workers needing to travel should make sure they had their required travel and authorised worker permits before they left home.
The agriculture sector is essential to keep the supermarket shelves stocked and food on Victorian tables.
As an ‘authorised workplace’, farm businesses can continue to operate during the current restrictions.
However, businesses should continue to implement the six principles of COVIDSafe workplaces to protect themselves and their workers, and to reduce the risk of Covid-19 impacting their business.
Measures such as maintaining physical distancing, practising good hygiene, keeping records and creating workforce bubbles will help to keep farmers and farm workers safe, and the business to keep operating.
Details about the six principles of COVIDSafe workplaces can be found at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-permit to download an authorised worker permit.
Information about the Victorian Travel Permit System can be found at: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system
Keep up to date with all the latest restrictions and requirements at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
