AMONG the new Victorian restrictions introduced to combat the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, regulations will limit the production in abattoirs and meat processing plants to two-thirds of the regular throughput for the next six weeks.
Among the changes meatworkers will have to wear full personal protective equipment, including gloves, gowns, masks and shields.
Employees will be also be temperature checked, and have to work split shifts, while not being allowed to work at different sites.
"We know that meatworks are a really significant challenge for us. They will move to two-thirds production, reducing their production by one third," Vic Premier Daniel Andrews said.
"That will mean there will be less contact, that means there will be less seeding of this virus within families, and from families into the community."
This comes as active cases are still linked to several Vic sites - Bertocchi Smallgoods, Thomastown, Somerville Retail Services, Tottenham, JBS Brooklyn and Golden Farms Poultry, Breakwater. The Australian Lamb Company, Colac, remains closed.
Some agents have predicted this reduced output would be mitigated by reduced throughput in yards, and Thomas Foods International's Darren Thomas says his facilities have the capacity to meet some of the interstate demand.
Customers have been assured this will not impact supermarket shelves.
But could it have an impact on interstate prices?