Coles imposes product limits after workers test positive for coronavirus
Coles has reinstated product limits in Victoria, Tasmania and parts of NSW after several workers at its Laverton chilled distribution centre tested positive for coronavirus.
The supermarket giant said it is working with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to have all staff members in the centre tested for COVID-19 after a number of employees were diagnosed with the virus.
None of those who tested positive have been present at the centre since June 25, Coles said.
“While the Laverton distribution centre has been able to maintain operations, the reduced number of available team members has temporarily impacted our ability to replenish our Victorian stores with chilled and fresh produce lines,” it said in a statement.
All Coles stores and online services in Victoria and Tasmania as well as Lavington, Albury and Deniliquin in NSW have now implemented the following limits:
Two-packs limit
Chilled product (from Laverton DC)
- Fresh Milk
- Cheese
- Butter
- Margarine
- Chicken Breast
- Chicken Thighs
- Prepacked Carrots
- Prepacked Potatoes
Ambient and frozen product
- Canned Tomatoes
- Canned Beans
- Canned Garden Veg
- Pasta Sauce
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Baked Beans and Spaghetti
- Canned Meat
- Cheese
- Frozen Fruit and Veg (including Potato)
The one-pack limit for toilet paper and paper towel still applies in all states.
Coles said it is working with suppliers to restock the stores immediately.
“We apologise to customers of our Victorian and NSW border stores who may find some chilled and fresh produce lines are temporarily out of stock,” it said.
The news came as Victoria deals with a new spike in coronavirus cases.