‘Beyonce’ tower site in CBD shut after dozen workers test positive
The “Beyonce” tower, a skyscraper construction site in Melbourne’s CBD, is in lockdown after a dozen cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among building workers.
The outbreak at the 780-apartment Premier Tower site on Spencer Street has prompted construction giant Multiplex to immediately shut work down for a full “hospital grade” clean.
Up to 20 close or casual contacts with other workers have been identified, a statement issued by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said.
“All workers identified as being in close and casual contact with the confirmed cases were immediately sent home and ordered to get tested and to self-isolate until they received their test results,” the CFMEU said.
Australia’s construction industry, which employs tens of thousands of workers, has managed to stay open during the pandemic but a full scale outbreak on a large city site may trigger stronger restrictions on activity, particularly in Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced a further 627 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Friday and hinted at the possibility of further restrictions to come. Mr Andrews and Prime Minister Scott Morrison held emergency talks on Thursday night to discuss the way ahead.
The CMFEU said workers on the Beyonce site were notified of the closure and an Incolink testing bus and medical team were on site to offer tests for all workers who were asymptomatic as a further safety measure.
Singapore-listed development company, Fragrance, is the owner of the 79-storey residential tower whose distinctive curving design is said be modelled on pop star Beyonce.
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Simon Johanson is a business journalist at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Source: Thanks smh.com