Second Melbourne McDonald's forced to close after employee tests positive to coronavirus

Another McDonald's restaurant in Melbourne has closed after a worker tested positive for COVID-19.

McDonalds Fawkner

A second Melbourne McDonald's restaurant has been closed after a staff member tested postivie to COVID-19 Source: AAP

A second McDonald's restaurant in Melbourne has been forced to close after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

McDonald's Australia confirmed on Friday it had closed its Craigieburn restaurant after learning of the infected employee.

The worker is an extended relative of one of the staff members at the McDonald's in Fawkner who had earlier tested positive for the virus.

The company said it was acting out of an abundance of caution.
McDonalds Fawkner
The McDonalds restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner which was shut down after a staff member tested positive for Coronavirus Source: AAP
"The decision to immediately close and deep clean the restaurant is over and above the Department's requirements," a spokeswoman said.

A cluster stemming from the Fawkner restaurant hit 10 on Friday, as another two close contacts of its four infected staff members tested positive.

The Fawkner restaurant was reopened on Wednesday with workers from another site, after undergoing a deep clean.

The Craigieburn employee who has tested positive had not worked at Fawkner, and their last shift in Craigieburn was on Tuesday.

"We have spoken with the employee and confirm they are self-isolating at home with little to no symptoms," the McDonald's spokeswoman said.

So far 93 employees at the Fawkner site have returned negative tests, with four people still waiting on results.

Victoria's coronavirus case total hit 1543 on Friday after recording an increase of 21 cases, although only 112 are active, with nine in hospital and seven in intensive care.
One of the new cases was linked to the cluster stemming from Cedar Meats, taking it to 91 cases.

It's the fourth day in a row with no new cases of community transmission in the state.

A staff member who worked in the Myer Highpoint doing online orders has also been confirmed as infected with the coronavirus.

The company has introduced enhanced hygiene and safety measures and will deep clean the store.

The state government on Friday announced an extra $19.5 million to deliver recommendations from Victoria's mental health royal commission interim report, as authorities brace for the wellbeing implications of coronavirus lockdown.

It includes cash for workforce shortages, the roll-out of suicide prevention programs and help for Victorians with mental illness.
Elections will also go ahead for Victorian councils on 24 October, with postal votes to be used in all local government areas for the first time.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, meanwhile, will step down when his contract ends in June, after earlier considering delaying his retirement to lead the force through the coronavirus pandemic.

In the 24 hours to 11 pm Thursday police did 680 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state.

Eight fines were issued in relation to a protest at a business in Preston on Tuesday.

Officers have done a total of 45,078 spot checks since 21 March.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at


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Published 15 May 2020 6:05pm



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