Asda to keep West Yorkshire factory open after coronavirus outbreak - but orders 300 staff members to self-isolate

Asda has said the safety of its workers and the local community is its top priority following a second coronavirus breakout at one of its factories in West Yorkshire.
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The Leeds-based supermarket giant is working alongside Public Health England, Wakefield Council and the Health and Safety Executive after it was confirmed 17 people had tested positive for coronavirus at the Forza Foods Ltd site in Normanton.

Asda has confirmed all of those who tested positive worked on the same shift pattern and, as such, the factory will remain open with that particular shift not operating. Around 300 members of staff are now self-isolating at home.

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Wakefield Council said swift action had been taken to prevent any further spread.

The outbreak at Forza is the second to hit factories which supply AsdaThe outbreak at Forza is the second to hit factories which supply Asda
The outbreak at Forza is the second to hit factories which supply Asda

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A statement from Asda said: “Keeping colleagues and the local community safe is our key priority and as soon as we became aware that some colleagues had tested positive we alerted the relevant authorities.

"The number of colleagues that have tested positive represents just one per cent of the total workforce at the site and almost all are employed on one particular shift. We are working quickly and collaboratively with the Local Authority and Public Health England to isolate and test all colleagues on this shift as a precautionary measure. These colleagues will only return to work when it is safe for them to do so.

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“The Local Authority and Health & Safety Executive both inspected the site this week and confirmed they are satisfied with the safety precautions we have put in place. As a result, the facility will remain operational.”

An Asda spokesman said the company continues to help local authorities and Government with the track and trace process once a positive test has been confirmed.

Anna Hartley, Wakefield Council’s director of public health, added: “We are aware that 17 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Forza Foods Normanton, with further cases being investigated.

"We’ve taken swift action to work with the business, Public Health England and the HSE to help limit any further potential spread.

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“300 staff are being offered testing as a precautionary measure and are now self-isolating at home. Staff will only return to work when it is safe for them to do so.

“We ask everyone to please continue to follow Government guidance on regular handwashing and social distancing to help keep yourself and others safe. If you are displaying symptoms please get a test by visiting nhs.co.uk/coronavirus or call 119.”

It comes two weeks after an outbreak was confirmed at Kober Ltd in Cleckheaton, which led to Asda closing the meat packing site for around a week, and just a day after Kirkless Council confirmed there had been an outbreak at a bed factory in Batley.

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