AGRICULTURE Victoria is urging farmers to have a protection plan in place against the impacts of COVID-19.
Agriculture services director Leanne Rosewall said it was important that COVIDSafe plans were up to date and 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,” Ms Rosewall said.
She said the agriculture sector was essential to keep supermarket shelves stocked and food on Victorian tables.
As an “authorised workplace”, farm businesses can continue to operate during the restrictions.
However, businesses are asked to continue to implement the six principles of COVIDSafe workplaces to protect themselves and their workers and reduce the risk of COVID-19 affecting their business.
Measures such as maintaining physical distancing, practising good hygiene, keeping records and creating workforce bubbles will help keep farmers and farm workers safe and businesses operating.
With state border restrictions in many places across the country, Ms Rosewall said farmers and farm workers needing to travel should make sure they had required travel and authorised worker permits.
