More than 900 coronavirus tests on Midfield Group staff have all returned negative results.

Midfield Group general manager Dean McKenna confirmed Monday morning that all tests were clear.

"All tests have come back negative, that's well over 900 tests," he said.

"We are now back close to normal operation," he said.

Friday, 1.30pm:

Warrnambool's Midfield Group is on Friday back to 80 per cent of production after staff underwent coronavirus testing earlier this week.

"And we're hopeful of being back to 100 per cent on Monday," Midfield Group general manager Dean McKenna said.

"We have lifted all our processes and procedures throughout the whole abattoir. They are all well above public guidelines.

"We are trying to stay in front of the game for our staff and the local community.

"Midfield is fully aware of the responsibilities we have to our staff and the Warrnambool community."

McKenna said the company flew in two meat inspectors from Queensland during the week who were COVID-19 free.

"That was to ensure that we keep jobs going in Warrnambool and we will be flying in five COVID-19 free inspectors for production next week," he said.

"All the tests we've had have come back negative," he said in reference to about 900 tests conducted on Monday.

The general manager said Midfield has been overwhelmed by the amount of local support the company had received during the past week.

"We wish to say thank-you through the Warrnambool Standard as there is no other way we could acknowledge those people," he said.

"We also wish to acknowledge the wonderful assistance and support we've received from Craig Fraser and the staff at South West Healthcare.

"They are working around the clock to ensure everyone is safe in this area," he said.

At 9.30am: Midfield Group workers who had close contact with a coronavirus positive meat inspector are currently isolating and will be re-tested before returning to work.

The meat inspector visited the Warrnambool Midfield site on Tuesday last week and then tested positive to COVID-19 on Sunday.

That led to a decision to close the Warrnambool meatworks on Sunday night and test all employees.

Those tests were undertaken by Southwest Health Care staff on Monday and so far all of the about 900 tests have returned negative results.

Midfield returned to full operation on Thursday after being given the all clear by the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain normal operations.

Midfield Group general manager Dean McKenna again thanked his work force and the community for their support after the company ceased operations on Monday despite being given the green light to continue by DHHS.

"We have to say a huge thank you to our management, who moved very quickly and professionally to get everything happening at short notice, our staff who followed our stringent protocols and of course to South West Healthcare," he said.

"We can't speak highly enough of South West Healthcare and the service the organization provided.

We're very lucky to have a health service of this calibre in the district.

"This pandemic and the associated regulations are constantly evolving, so we will continue working with DHHS to make sure we remain at the forefront of preventative measures."

Mr McKenna also thanked their suppliers and broader south-west community for their support.

"Our clients, contractors, farming partners, livestock carriers and all organisations we deal with have gone above and beyond. They have all been understanding and worked with us during the time," he said.

"To the broader community who have given us so many messages of support and understood our decision to halt processing, we thank you too.

"We are very proud to be part of this community and while this has been a challenging time for our business we believe it was our responsibility to err on the side of caution."

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