Shopping centre food court at centre of latest Covid alert

A popular Victorian shopping centre has become the centre of the state’s latest coronavirus alert, after a staff member in the food court tested positive to the virus.

The employee worked a number of shifts at Muffin Break at Brimbank Shopping Centre in Deer Park, northwest of Melbourne, on May 26, 27 and 28.

The entire food court area and the male staff toilets in the centre have been listed as a Tier 1 site, with those present between the affected dates and times urged to get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days.

The remainder of Brimbank Shopping Centre has been listed as a T2 exposure site, with visitors encouraged to get tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is confirmed.

On their Facebook page, the centre shared the news of the exposure and said the food court would be deep cleaned on Monday night.

“We wish to advise that a deep clean of the Brimbank foodcourt will be undertaken tonight and that Muffin Break have arranged for a deep clean of the kiosk,” the post read.

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“We will also continue our additional cleaning measures at Brimbank Shopping Centre, with additional focus on specific areas including handrails, vertical transport, toilets, door handles, sinks, and parents change tables throughout the Centre. This will continue for the foreseeable future.”

The staff member’s movements triggered 14 alerts on the Vic Gov website with the following locations, dates and times:

• Food court, Brimbank Shopping Centre: May 27 between 11.45am and 9.30pm

• Brimbank Shopping centre male staff bathrooms: May 28 between 8.45am and 6.30pm; May 27 between 11.45am and 9.30pm and May 26 between 8.45am and 5.30pm

• Muffin Break, Brimbank Shopping Centre: May 28 between 8.45am and 6.30pm; May 27 between 11.45am and 9.30pm and May 26 between 8.45am and 5.30pm

A handful of other venues were also added to the T1 list on Monday evening, including Subway Rye, Woolworths Heidelberg and Aldi South Melbourne.

Several venues were added as T2 exposure sites, including the reception area of Proud Poppy Clothing, Nando’s at Brimbank Shopping Centre and the Simply Spanish South Melbourne Market.

Eleven new cases were confirmed on Monday, bringing the state's total to 45.

New T1 exposure sites:

• Jamaica Blue Cafe, Craigieburn Central: May 23 between 10am and 11.30am

• Aldi South Melbourne: May 28 between 2pm and 3.30pm

• Point Cook Quality Meats & Grocery Supermarket, Stockland Shopping Centre: May 26 between 3.30pm and 5.30pm

• Woolworths Heidelberg: May 25 between 11am and 11.50am

• Marketplace Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Market, Stockland Shopping Centre, Point Cook: May 26 between 3.30pm and 5.30pm

• Can Do Vietnamese Restaurant, Sunshine: May 27 between 11am and 12pm

• Subway Rye: May 21 between 2pm and 4pm

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