KFC Faces Meat Shortage As Australian Slaughterhouses Hit By COVID-19

Fast-food giant KFC Australia has confirmed its meat supply has been ‘disrupted’ after a chicken processing facility in Melbourne, Victoria has temporarily closed.

Ingham’s Thomastown halted production after five workers tested positive for coronavirus. All 200 staff have been sent home with pay.

Abattoirs in several countries, including the U.K, have become virus hotspots, with more than 650 workers at a German slaughterhouse testing positive for Covid-19 back in June. 

Some ‘may have to close’

“Our chicken supply has been disrupted in Victoria this week and some of our restaurants will only be open for limited hours or may have to close this weekend,” a KFC Australia spokesperson told 7NEWS.

“We’re sorry for any issues this causes our customers – we’re doing everything we can to help our suppliers get back on track.”

KFC did not confirm which specific stores are affected by this issue.

‘State of disaster’

Today, Victoria declared a ‘state of disaster’ following 671 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded overnight.

A stage four lockdown will come into effect in the state from six pm tonight – meaning only one person per household can go shopping – and to a supermarket that’s within five km of their homes.