A Holcim spokesman said the company closed its Tarrone Lane quarry site, at Tarrone, north of Koroit, and carried out a deep clean on Friday, August 14 after an employee tested positive.

Then on Sunday a second worker tested positive.

Both were asymptomatic while at work.

All 12 employees and three contractors at the site have been directed to be tested for COVID-19 and ordered to quarantine for 14 days until they receive their results.

Both employees who returned positive test results for COVID-19 are recovering one is in intensive care and the other is in self-isolation at home.

Contract tracing is being carried out alongside WorkSafe and the Department of Health and Human Services, where a number of customers are also expected to be contacted.

"They were both asymptomatic at work so we made the decision to stand everyone down and close the site," the spokesman said.

"There were some close contacts of one of the personnel that were tested and returned a negative test.

"We're still waiting on the outcome of the contract tracing process."

The first worker worked at the site on the week of August 3 and started to feel symptoms on the weekend of August 7.

On Monday he had a rostered day off and took the next two days off where he underwent a COVID-19 test at the instruction of his doctor.

He self-isolated until he received his positive result on Friday 14.

"He was at the site that week prior so the contact tracing will focus on the week prior to that weekend," the spokesman said.

"The health and safety of all our employees, contractors, customers and the wider community is our primary concern at this time and we are working with WorkSafe Victoria and DHHS to manage the situation, including contact-tracing of all quarry personnel to determine the source.

"Additionally, we are working closely with our customers to minimise disruption to their business as a result of the site closure.

"As a requirement of the Victorian Government, all Holcim sites across the state have comprehensive COVID Safe Plans in place.

"As we manage this situation, we are providing ongoing support to all affected employees and contractors."

READ MORE:

Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.