Regional Livestock Exchange has postponed this week's regular cattle sale at CQLX, Gracemere, after learning one of its staff members had close contact with a person who has tested positive to COVID-19.
AAM Investment Group managing director Garry Edwards apologised for any interruption the postponement may cause to vendors, transporters and agents, and said at this stage there was no certainty as to whether the staff member has the virus.
"Our staff member, who is now in self-isolation, alerted us as soon as they became aware they had had close contact with a person who has tested positive to the virus," Mr Edwards said.
"Once our staff member's test results are known, which we believe will be in the next 48 hours, we will know if contact tracing and further action will be required.
"As a precautionary measure, RLX has engaged third party, professional cleaners to sanitise the potentially impacted areas of the site, in line with Queensland Health COVID-19 protocols and our own management plan.
"It is expected that sales will return to normal at CQLX on Wednesday 15th April."
Mr Edwards said operations at the remainder of the RLX network of selling facilities across eastern Australia would continue as scheduled, but reiterated the importance of remaining vigilant and adhering to rules governing attendance at all saleyard sites.
"We urge our vendors, buyers and other service providers to continue to follow the sale-day protocols we have in place, restricting the number of people who may attend a sale to essential personnel only," Mr Edwards said.
"We have been pleased so far by the cooperation of industry with the operating procedures implemented across all of the RLX sites, and the general understanding that strictly following the advice of our government health agencies is the only way we will be able to ensure the continued flow of livestock through the supply chain."
Elders Biloela has also cancelled its Tuesday prime and store sale due to low numbers.