Factory set to reopen after Covid 19 outbreak
THE Kober meat packing factory shut down by a coronavirus outbreak among staff is to reopen tomorrow, Asda has revealed.
But the supermarket firm has announced it will be launching new safety procedures for workers who return to the plant near Cleckheaton.
Enhanced safety precautions will include temperature checks for workers before they enter the premises.
An Asda spokesperson said: “We have worked collaboratively with Kirklees Council and Public Health England since the site closed over a week ago and they support our decision to reopen.
“The site will re-open on a reduced capacity and only colleagues that have been tested and declared fit to return will be on site.
“While Kirklees Council were satisfied with our existing safety procedures, we have introduced some additional measures as a precaution.
“These include separation of colleagues on different shifts and checking the temperature of colleagues before they enter the site.”
The number of staff that contracted Covid-19 has never been officially confirmed but sources have told YorkshireLive it was more than 100 of the 500 workers.
Boris Johnson has also admitted he is unsure what is causing outbreaks of coronavirus in meat processing plants.
The Prime Minister said one theory is that the cold environment in such factories may be helping Covid-19, while another is that staff could be “congregating in such a way as to spread the virus”.
But he conceded that investigations are continuing in a bid to find a definitive answer.