The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Covid-19 case at Fife Amazon delivery hub
DUNFERMLINE: ‘Everyone’s biggest fear’ after depot worker tests positive
A worker at Amazon’s Fife distribution hub has tested positive for Covid-19.
Bosses at the fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, which supplies homes across
Scotland, insisted they were doing everything possible to keep the 1,000 employees at the site and their thousands of customers safe.
It has been described as the “worst possible news” by employees.
One worker said the news had come as a shock, adding: “It’s everyone’s biggest fear that someone you work with tests positive and there is obvious concern among the colleagues.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville, whose constituency includes the depot, said she had contacted the company to seek assurances over the safety of staff.
She added: “This will be concerning news for employees at Amazon, I would urge anyone contacted by Test and Protect to follow the advice closely.”
Concerns have been raised among staff at one of Fife’s biggest employers after confirmation than an employee at Amazon’s site in Dunfermline has tested positive for Covid-19.
The company confirmed the news that a staff member at its Dunfermline fulfilment centre, which employs around 1,000 people, had tested positive for the virus and stressed it was continuing to take all possible measures to keep both staff and customers safe.
One staff member, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s everyone’s biggest fear that someone you work with tests positive and there is obvious concern among the colleagues I’ve spoken to.
“Everyone is now just hoping it’s a one-off and doesn’t escalate into something bigger.”
A spokesperson for Amazon said: “Since the early days of this situation, we have worked closely with local authorities to proactively respond, ensuring we continue to serve customers while taking care of our associates and we’re following all guidelines from local officials about the operations of our buildings.
“We have implemented proactive measures at our facilities to protect employees including increased cleaning at all facilities, maintaining social distance in the fulfilment centre and adding distance between drivers and customers when making deliveries.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, ShirleyAnne Somerville said she had contacted the company to seek assurances over the safety of its staff.
She added: “As far as I understand it, this is an isolated case and there’s no reason to suspect community transmission within the centre.
“Test and Protect protocols will come into play here, and officials will advise on the course of action for anyone who is identified as a close contact of the individual and the appropriate guidance will be issued.”
Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman said: “Everyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be put
“It’s everyone’s biggest fear that someone you work with tests positive... AMAZON WORKER
in touch with their local contact tracing team or the National Contact Tracing Service to help identify who they’ve been in close contact with.”
Meanwhile, in the East Neuk of Fife a restaurant has been forced to temporarily close after it was linked to a case of Covid-19.
Health officials advised the Kinneuchar Inn in Kilconquhar to shut for 10 days as a precautionary measure.
NHS Fife has stressed there is no evidence of any onward transmission, and said close contacts of the confirmed case are being contacted. All staff at the inn have been tested and all of the results have come back negative.
Chef James Ferguson said: “We’d like to thank customers for their support over this difficult time and hope we’re able to welcome them back again.”
The B&Q store in Dundee was also closed yesterday after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19. The building was deep cleaned after the doors were closed. A sign said it will reopen today.
News of a positive Covid-19 case in the Amazon fulfilment centre at Dunfermline is incredibly troubling. The massive centre houses hundreds of workers from across the region.
They handle goods which are shipped to addresses nationwide.
Amazon has pledged to do all it can to ensure this single case does not escalate into an outbreak.
The firm insists precautions have been taken both inside and outside the warehouse and there is nothing at present to suggest the infected worker has spread the virus.
In Perthshire, an outbreak at a much smaller facility – the 2 Sisters chicken processing plant in Coupar Angus – led to consideration of a lockdown which could have affected much of Tayside.
Should the Amazon case result in a similar scenario, its effect could be felt even further.
The amount of traffic to and from the site by the side of the M90 means the potential for spread, both in fresh cases and geographically, is vast.
It must be hoped the company continues to be as robust as it suggests it has been already.
Anything other than complete Covid security on the site is unthinkable.
Amazon must deliver on its promise to ensure there is no Fife outbreak.