Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Pub praised for handling of Covid outbreak fears
Owen’s back in business after link to Sitel site
IAN BUNTING
A Coatbridge pub has reopened and says it will “continue to take all available precautions” after it was identified as a “secondary location” linked to the coronavirus outbreak at Eurocentral call centre Sitel.
Owen’s Bar on the town’s Main Street was one of five premises in Lanarkshire and Glasgow flagged up via the contact tracing programme – put in place as a result of 17 positive Covid-19 cases at the Sitel facility at Maxim Park, plus a further seven among their close contacts.
Environmental and public health teams from North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire visited Owen’s and were satisfied with the local venue’s cleaning and precautions, with the transmission risk being described as low.
People who have attended the pub and the other secondary locations – the Railway Tavern and Merlin’s Bar in Motherwell, Costa Coffee in Carfin and END clothing store in Glasgow – are not being asked to isolate but to be “vigilant about symptoms” and book a test if necessary.
Coat b r idge MSP Fulton MacGregor has thanked Owen’s Bar staff for “the steps they have taken” to deal with the link to the Sitel outbreak.
He told the Advertiser: “I was pleased to hear the First Minister praise Owen’s Bar for their cooperation in helping the authorities to get on top of the outbreak.
“I understand that Owen’s being named as a secondary location may have caused alarm to some people locally, but it’s clear that this is going to be part of the new normal as our test and trace system comes into effect.
“Any place could be affected at any time and we all must be ready to act when asked.
“On this occasion, risk was assessed as being low and, therefore, those who visited Owen’s and the other four locations were asked to remain vigilant about symptoms.
“On other occasions, people may be asked to do more, like get tested or even isolate after visiting a place where a link has been identified.
“We shouldn’t necessarily regard this as a negative, but rather part and parcel of our lives being able to return to some sort of normality.
“This is another reminder that we all must continue to work to fight this virus by following the rules in various settings.
“It’s extremely important to support local businesses and, in turn, these places should always follow the proper procedures to protect staff and customers.”
A statement on Owen’s Bar’s Facebook page read: “Following the recent Covid-19 outbreak in a call centre in Lanarkshire, Owen’s was notified by the NHS as having a secondary link.
“Since then we have followed the advice from the NHS, Environmental Health and the Scottish Government.
“You will be aware that we closed for a period of time for a deep clean. We then reopened after full agreement with the Environmental Health authority and NHS, having fully satisfied all of their questions.
“We were also in a strong position, having completed considerable safety preparations, made prior to opening on July 6.
“Since reopening we have always operated with a track and trace system, in accordance with government guidelines. Should you have any queries you should contact NHS24.
“We have always acted with the safety, health and wellbeing of the families and friends who have enjoyed attending Owen’s since 1968. We will continue to take all available precautions and ensure your next visit to Owen’s is an enjoyable one.”
Interim chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said in a statement: “We would like to thank the premises concerned for their co-operation and for their commitment to following national guidance to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
“The incident management team believe that the risk to the public of Covid-19 is low, given staff in these locations were wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
“However, this is an ongoing process and they will continue to work with any premises as and when further cases develop.
“As always, please follow national guidance on the NHS Inform website if you have been in contact with a confirmed case of Covid- 19 or develop symptoms.”
NHS Lanarkshire public health consultant Dr David Cromie has reassured local residents that the risk posed by the Sitel outbreak is “extremely low” and that contact tracing is working effectively.