.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
HARDWARE giant Bunnings has confirmed an employee of its South Nowra store has tested positive to COVID-19.
The team member was working at the complex last Tuesday, August 31, between 6:30am and 2pm, and this was the only shift they worked during last week.
Bunnings has shared this information with NSW Health.
The news comes the same day that NSW Heath announced two positive COVID cases in the Shoalhaven, and a further 13 cases were reported in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (nine in Wollongong and 2 in Shellharbour) and 1431 caseas across the state.
Bunnings Area Manager David Williams said the company had been advised that a team member who worked earlier this week at the Nowra store has since tested positive for COVID-19.
"The team member, importantly, was wearing a face mask and adhered to COVID safe guidelines," Mr Williams said.
Read more:
- Shoalhaven COVID news: 'not a time to panic' - as Bomaderry residents urged to get tested
- Additional testing sites as Bomaderry residents urged to get tested after more COVID fragments in sewage
- Deputy Premier Barilaro couldn't provide details about Shoalhaven COVID cases, apologises for delay
- 'Matter of great urgency': South Coast MP makes call for Nowra mass vaccination hub
"We're seeking further advice from NSW Health, however as a precaution, team members working at the time are getting tested and self-isolating."
He said the company's "absolute focus is the health and safety of its team members and customers".
"We've got incredible comprehensive protocols for hygiene and cleaning in place across our whole store network developed in conjunction with advice from health authorities," he said.
"Since the outset of COVID-19, we've been taking extra steps in store, and the Nowra store has undergone three deep cleans using antiviral disinfectants since Tuesday, with an additional deep clean conducted last evening (Thursday night).
"We're doing everything we can to support our team member who is self-isolating."
The new $27.8 million Bunnings building at South Nowra was only officially opened to the public in November last year.
Bunnings says it has a very clear policy in place that if team members are feeling unwell they should not attend work and seek medical advice.
Bunnings told The Register in a statement that their COVID policies are reinforced regularly and their team members are very conscientious about following guidelines to ensure customers remain safe.
"Bunnings has made a lot of changes to its stores to ensure the safety of its team and customers including monitoring and limiting customers in store," the statement said.
"(These include) roll-out of 'Count Me In' app to further assist stores with customer limits; increased cleaning particularly for counters, trolleys and baskets throughout the day using antiviral disinfectants and a deep clean of each store using antiviral disinfectants at least daily.
"Team members and customers are required to wear a face mask when visiting stores in NSW; team members and customers are provided with hand sanitiser and QR codes are displayed at the entrance and in different locations throughout stores for customers to register their visit with Service NSW.
"Physical distancing measures have been put in place, including taping floors to mark 1.5m and moving stock on pallets around to open-up space; encouraging customers to use Tap and Pay where possible; acrylic register guards installed in all Australian stores; a product finder app that lets customers search for products before they leave home and create a shopping list that shows which aisle items are located to speed up the shop," the statement said.
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here . If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.