Statement regarding the SBS Melbourne office

On updated advice from the Victorian health authorities, SBS’s Melbourne office will be closed on Wednesday 1 July.

This follows an employee recently testing positive for COVID-19, which lead to the closure and sanitisation of the Melbourne office on Sunday 28 June.

Heightened precautions and additional measures are being followed to ensure the safety of our people and the community, and with the unfolding situation in Victoria in mind.

Whilst the Melbourne office has enhanced cleaning processes, additional sanitisation will again take place today, and staff are working from home where possible.  

The diagnosed employee was last in the SBS Melbourne office on Thursday 25 June. Following this, SBS took all the required measures as requested by health authorities. Immediate close contacts were identified and are undertaking self-isolation. Following updated advice received late evening on Tuesday 30 June, SBS is conducting a more comprehensive tracing exercise, working with the Victorian health authorities. The employee diagnosed with COVID-19 is doing well. 

The health and safety of all our employees remains our priority. As an additional precautionary measure, a number of staff have been directed to self-quarantine for two weeks on direction of the Victorian health authorities.

As an essential service, particularly during this time, SBS will continue its operations and in particular we are committed to continuing to provide information in more than 63 languages on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have comprehensive business continuity plans, our technology and resources are in place to ensure employees can work flexibly, where feasible. 

 

For a PDF version of this statement, click here.