The Colac Otway Shire Council has taken the decision to exclude members of the public, including sellers, from sales at the Colac Regional Saleyards as a result of the coronavirus COVID-19.
This exclusion comes into effect at tomorrow's sale and is in line with measures taken by other regional saleyards including Horsham and Ouyen.
Access during the sale will be restricted to agents, buyers, transport operators and Council/saleyards staff.
Chief Executive Peter Brown said the public should not attend, even if they were selling cattle.
"We recognise that our weekly sales are ordinarily an important social opportunity for our local farming community as well as a place for agricultural commerce," he said.
"However we need to limit the attendance to only the people who essential to the operation of the sale to ensure vital food supply chains can continue operating," Mr Brown said.
"We ask for our community's support in this measure, to support the ongoing operations of our saleyards."
These measures are in line with recommendations from bodies including the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association.
The COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing and Colac Otway Shire Council is responding to advice from State and Federal Government that social distancing will help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
