OPERATIONS at DP World Australia’s Port Botany terminal ceased on Wednesday after at least one case of COVID-19 was identified in the workforce.
In a statement, DP World said an employee at the Port Botany terminal had recently attended work while testing positive for COVID-19.
“We are working closely with the Department of NSW Health to identify any close or casual contacts to ensure the safety of our employees and the community,” the statement said.
“We are continuing to work on minimising delays for our customers and the supply chain, and the loading and discharging of containers continues. While there are impacts across the next couple days, we anticipate being able to continue our operations.”
A spokesperson for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District told DCN the local public health unit (PHU) was on Wednesday (15 September) notified of a case of COVID-19 in an employee at DP World at Port Botany.
“The PHU has been in contact with DP World and investigations are underway to assess any risk to other workers, and to identify any close or casual contacts,” the spokesperson said.
“The situation in any venue where exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred is carefully assessed and monitored by the PHU and prevention measures implemented according to risk.”
A statement from DP World released to customers earlier in the day said slots and timezones would be closed at least from 1100 to 2200hrs on Wednesday. “All terminal operations during this time are impacted,” the statement said.
DCN understands that Patrick’s Port Botany terminal is not affected at the time of writing.
There is one vessel alongside at the terminal, OOCL Miami (as of 1700 on Wednesday).
