Virgin Australia set to stand down staff as COVID-19 lockdowns halt travel We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Normal text size Advertisement Virgin Australia is poised to announce a fresh wave of stand downs across its workforce as soon as Thursday as the aviation industry struggles with lockdowns and border closures that have slashed travel around the country. Several industry sources familiar with Virgin’s thinking, but who were not authorised to speak on the record, said the lockdowns could affect more than 1000 staff at the airline. Virgin Australia boss Jayne Hrdlicka, centre, will announce stand downs.