Statement from Steve Plarre, CEO regarding Covid-19 & Chadstone Shopping Centre

UPDATE - 17th October 2020

We are delighted to let you know that our Chadstone store officially reopened today after a deep clean, appropriate staff being tested, and close contacts exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19) being identified.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has confirmed we have satisfied all requirements to safely reopen.It’s also great to report that our affected team member has made a full recovery and will soon be back giving their all to their team and you, our customers.

We’d like to thank everyone who was been a part of this effort – and all our staff and customers for their efforts in stopping the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

We ask that you continue to follow DHHS advice by practising hand hygiene, making sure you stay 1.5 metres from anyone you don’t live with, and wearing a face covering when you leave your home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

If you have symptoms, please get tested and stay home until you have your test result.

For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Department of Health and Human Services website (www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus) or contact the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you again for your support. We are thrilled to get back to the business of baking people happy and look forward to seeing you in-store again soon.

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Dear Guests,

As you are aware, a recent coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has been traced to Chadstone Shopping Centre. Given our proximity to the retail store identified as one of the sources, our Chadstone team voluntarily underwent testing and unfortunately, one of our team members has tested positive for the virus.

We are getting in touch now to let you know the steps we are taking to keep you, our customers, our staff and the Ferguson Plarre community safe following this confirmed case.

We are working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) to undertake a deep clean to disinfect all surfaces in accordance with their strict infection control and to ensure a safe return to work for our team, and re-opening for our customers.

Given the proximity of our Oakleigh store and some of our Chadstone team members having confirmed close contact with the team at Oakleigh, we will undertake the same measures there, closing the store for a deep clean, encouraging testing and providing support as people self-isolate.

DHHS health officials will advise us when our team members have been medically cleared to return to work and our stores have been sufficiently cleaned and we will keep you updated as we can.

We also want to take this opportunity to assure you that according to the World Health Organisation, there is currently no evidence to date of viruses causing respiratory illness being transmitted via food, or food packaging.

We urge you, as part of the Ferguson Plarre community to follow DHHS guidelines to keep yourself, your friends and family safe and help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Get tested even if you have mild symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). After getting tested, you need to stay home until you have your test result. Symptoms include:

  • Loss or changes in sense of smell or taste
  • Fever
  • Chills or sweats
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Runny nose.
  • Practise good hygiene – wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
  • Keep your distance – stay 1.5 metres away from anyone you don’t live with.
  • Wear a face covering whenever you leave home.

For more information on current coronavirus (COVID-19) advice, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website (www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus) or contact the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you for your continued support of Ferguson Plarre. We look forward to seeing you at our Chadstone and Oakleigh stores as soon as we have reopened.

We wish our affected individual a speedy recovery and appreciate everyone’s commitment to keeping each other safe.

Regards,

Steve Plarre

CEO, Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses