Luckes Fresh Food Market in Bairnsdale is still trading despite false rumours to the contrary and misinformation circulating on social media concerning the business.
A malicious Facebook post, which has since been removed, claimed Luckes staff members had been required to self-isolate after undergoing mandatory COVID-19 tests.
However, Cathy Lucke told the Advertiser the social media post was wrong.
She said everyone at Luckes had been requested by Agriculture Victoria and DHHS to have a COVID test as part of a statewide screening test of certain areas of the meat industry.
“This is because we fall under the category of a meat processing licence in the state of Victoria,” Mrs Lucke said.
“It is a blanket testing program for every business who holds these licenses, regardless of where your business is located in Victoria,” Mrs Lucke said.
“It is a safety precaution and has nothing to do with the individual health of any of our staff members.
“After staff members have been tested, they are permitted to return to work as soon as possible.”
Mrs Lucke told the Advertiser, “of course if a staff member did have symptoms they would be required to self isolate”.
In a statement, Luckes said it takes “all precautionary measures very seriously, including temperature checking staff at the start of every shift and sanitising the store three times a day.”
Mrs Lucke said they were “horrified” by the misinformation in the social media post, which has “caused staff a lot of unnecessary distress”.
“Some people think we’ve shut down, it’s just really cruel,” she said.
She said the false rumors had also caused anxiety for customers.
