The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
2 Sisters workers emerge after 14 days’ quarantine
Staff return to factory despite mistakenly being told by FM to continue isolating
Staff returned to work at the 2 Sisters chicken factory in Coupar Angus yesterday morning, just hours before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon mistakenly told them to keep isolating.
Most of the east Perthshire plant’s 1,200-workforce were reunited as they emerged from two weeks of quarantine.
The factory was shut down on August 17 after an outbreak of coronavirus.
The total number of positive cases now connected to the cluster stands at 199, including 173 workers and 26 of their contacts.
Staff have been widely praised for their role in keeping the outbreak under control. They returned to the factory for a day of training, with production expected to resume today.
However, there was confusion at the first minister’s mid-day briefing when Ms Sturgeon announced: “All employees at the factory – and their households – should continue to self-isolate until the end of today.”
She also said the plant was due to reopen today.
NHS Tayside has since confirmed the period of isolation ended on Sunday night.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “It’s disappointing that the first minister caused this confusion around the re-opening of the 2 Sisters factory in Coupar Angus.
“At these difficult times all those in positions of leadership have to be very precise with their language, otherwise unnecessary stress is just caused to people who are already in potentially vulnerable situations.”
The Incident Management Team (IMT) fighting the cluster gave the 2 Sisters Food Group the go-ahead to reopen after a series of risk assessments.
Dr Emma Fletcher, associate director of public health and the chairwoman of the IMT, said: “I would like to thank all of the 2 Sisters factory workers and their families for complying with the selfisolation advice, which is so important in preventing further transmission of the virus in the community.
“The IMT considered the risk assessments and were satisfied that the factory should be able to reopen from today.
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It was a scary time, we didn’t know what was going to happen – it’s nice to see everyone again. FACTORY EMPLOYEE
“The majority of staff will be able to return, however those who have tested positive – or have been identified as being in contact with a positive case – must follow specific self-isolation guidance they have been given and not return to work until their period of isolation is over.”
A spokesperson for the 2 Sisters Food Group added: “We have a structured plan in place as to when every colleague can return to work and they will receive their full standardised Covid-19 awareness training.”
She said training would continue for the next two days with production expected to restart today.
Almost all staff have been traced and tested, however – as revealed in Saturday’s Courier – a handful of employees remain unaccounted for.
One employee said she was relieved to be back at work, adding: “It was a scary time, we didn’t know what was going to happen – it’s nice to see everyone again.”
The Scottish Government was asked to comment on the statement at yesterday’s briefing but had not responded last night.