ALL STAFF working at the Manilla Water Treatment Plant have been tested for COVID-19 and returned negative results.
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Work has now resumed on the Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) site after it was shut down last Friday, a day after police inspected it.
The Leader reported last week contractors had come from Victoria, where a deadly second wave of coronavirus infections forced the state into lockdown and NSW to slam its southern border shut.
Council confirmed the Manilla Water Supply Upgrade project site was shut down temporarily on Friday at the request of the contracting company, while all staff were screened for the virus.
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TRC said Leed Engineering and Construction had confirmed on Wednesday all workers had returned negative results.
The site was shut for screening despite investigations by Oxley police confirming there were no breaches or issues at the work site.
Oxley police carried out investigations last Wednesday, examined the workers' permits, and then again on Thursday Tamworth Officer-In-Charge Chief Inspector Jeff Budd personally inspected the site at Manilla which he deemed safe, and said he was "confident that the workers themselves are compliant".
But a day later Leed Engineering and Construction requested a temporary shut down for testing, which was approved by TRC.
A statement issued by council on Wednesday said the company carrying out the upgrade to Manilla's treatment plant had a "robust" COVID-safe plan in place that it will "continue to implement".
The Victorian contractors work on a three-week on, one-week off rotating roster at the $15 million TRC project, and have been returning to Victoria.
The NSW government granted the workers entry into the state on the basis they are doing critical work.
Under the approved permit the staff must self-isolate when they're not at work, including when they're in Tamworth, where most of the Victorian workers are living.
Leed told the Leader last week workers would be staying on-site until further notice.
Council said it will continue to work with Leed to ensure the delivery of the Manilla Water Supply Upgrade.
The multi-million-dollar project is set to provide the Manilla community with a more reliable supply of treated water.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
