The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Sturgeon in direct plea to quarantined factory staff
Appeal comes as health board reports just four new cases connected to outbreak
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made a direct plea to workers at the 2 Sisters chicken factory in Coupar Angus.
At her daily briefing yesterday, Ms Sturgeon addressed the 900 employees who were forced into quarantine last week, and told them to stay indoors and fight the temptation to “nip out” to the shops.
Police Scotland has been dealing with sightings of staff out and about in the community, with some employees spotted at the Scotmid store across the street from the factory.
In a bid to reinforce the message, 2 Sisters told staff their wages would be conditional on staying in self-isolation.
Ms Sturgeon said employees complying with guidelines – even if they have tested negative – was key to halting the spread of the infection in the community.
The appeal came as NHS Tayside reported just four new confirmed cases connected to the outbreak.
A total of 156 people have tested positive, including 138 factory workers and 18 of their contacts.
In the last seven days, 5,165 have been tested at sites in Tayside, with more than 900 at a mobile unit set up in the factory grounds.
Dr Emma Fletcher, associate director of public health for NHS Tayside, urged people to remain vigilant despite the single-digit increase.
“Although it is significantly fewer than previous days, contact tracing is continuing and we remain vigilant.”
At her televised briefing, Ms Sturgeon issued a direct message to factory staff at home.
“I can understand there might be a temptation to nip out, maybe go to a shop, or to see other people, but please do not do that,” she said.
“Even if you’ve tested negative in the last few days, it is still possible that you could develop and spread the virus, so please follow all of the guidance and stay at home.”
The first minister continued: “It is because people are complying with that, that so far we are managing to avoid this outbreak seeping into the community.
A spokesman for the 2 Sisters Food Group said its decision to continue to pay staff would help them comply with guidelines.
“We recognise these are unprecedented circumstances which has adversely affected our business and the local community,” he said.
“Our company is very aware that the strict self-isolating rules imposed means some households may experience hardship, and we want to do all we can to minimise this.”