Outbreak of Covid in Moy Park factory

A “VERY small number” of workers at Moy Park’s Ballymena site have tested positive for Covid19, the company has confirmed.

There are around 1,400 employees at the Co Antrim meat processing facility.

The firm said it was working with the Public Health Agency and those affected were self-isolating on full pay.

Health Minister Robin Swann told BBC radio it had been “designated” as an outbreak by the PHA, but said it was important to avoid speculation.

He added: “We have always said we will expect outbreaks and clusters as we start to ease restrictions, but what we really need is for people to interact with test, track and tracing so we can manage them.”

In a statement, Moy Park said: “We have been informed a very small number of our employees in the Ballymena site have tested positive for coronavirus.

“The individuals affected have been self-isolating on full pay in line with our Covid sick pay scheme and we are in contact with them to ensure they have the support they require.

“We continue to work closely with the Public Health Agency and other government agencies, following their advice and protocols. As coronavirus has spread across the communities in which we live, we are doing all that we can to help keep the virus out of our facilities and help prevent its spread.

“Staff safety is our number one priority and we continue to strictly follow all safeguarding procedures across our sites, such as enhanced cleaning and hygiene regimes, thermal temperature scanning, Perspex screens, additional PPE and social distancing measures.” The PHA said it would not comment on “individual cases or go into detail on every incident that emerges”.

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw claimed meat factories were a high risk workplace which could be a “serious hazard” for employees.

She added: “We’re still learning about how this virus is spreading especially now we’re seeing more places of employment opening up.

“We want to protect our workers so we should be sharing best practices.”

She brought up her concerns with Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots last month after outbreaks in facilities in Wales and Germany.

In his response, he said a strategy of “unannounced inspections” had been rolled out to ensure compliance in the sector.

BUG Ballymena plant