Six Covid absences at depot

BACK UP crews have been called in to help an East End cleansing depot after coronavirus caused six absences, it has emerged.

Works from the nearby Greenfield depot were called in to assist the Baltic Street facility after the handful of Glasgow City Council workers were off ill last week.

It’s understood two employees, who work different shift patterns, were both in isolation after a positive test result, while four individuals also called in sick due to long Covid complications.

There are currently no reported infections within the work “bubbles” of the two newly infected staff members due to the strict social distancing measures in place.

However, workers called in to help raise concerns about the potential dangers of mingling with new staff members.

Glasgow City Council insisted all safety measures were in place and no issues have been reported.

A spokesperson said: “A small number of staff from our Greenfield depot were asked to provide cover at our Baltic Street depot and travelled together in their regular work vehicle. The health and safety of staff is an absolute priority at all times and these measures are fully in keeping with our risk assessment for Covid-control as well as the easing of restrictions that has occurred across the country.”

He added: “We have adopted a system of bubbles for staff, which ensures the same staff routinely work alongside one another and helps to contain the spread of the virus.

“The staff from the Greenfield depot are in their own bubble and none of the staff have reported an issue with Covid from their time at Baltic Street.”