Coronavirus: Staff at chicken factory supplying M&S self-isolate after COVID-19 outbreak
The "cluster" of coronavirus cases took place at the 2 Sisters chicken processing plant in Llangefni, North Wales.
Wednesday 17 June 2020 18:55, UK
Staff at a chicken factory in Wales are self-isolating following an outbreak of COVID-19.
The "cluster" of coronavirus cases emerged at the 2 Sisters chicken processing plant in Llangefni, North Wales, and efforts to tackle the outbreak is being treated as a "priority".
Factory owner 2 Sisters Food Group has not confirmed the number of cases.
The company is one of the largest food producers in the UK, with brands including Fox's Biscuits and Holland's Pies, while it also lists supermarkets and Marks & Spencer among its customers.
Despite being listed on the 2 Sisters website as one of its customers, KFC has told Sky News it does not use the company's chicken.
The company produces around a third of all poultry products eaten every day in the UK, according to its website.
A spokesman for 2 Sisters said the factory has implemented a "series of measures in place for some time", including regular and intensive deep cleaning and social distancing to keep workers safe.
Staff were also given protective visors in production areas around the factory.
"As a responsible business our key priority is to continue to provide the safest possible workplace and support all colleagues at Llangefni, as we have been doing successfully for three months without one single positive case reported at the site," the spokesman said.
He said the company has now "redoubled" its efforts to protect factory workers since positive cases were confirmed, adding: "We have now introduced thermal temperature checks on entry and employed marshals to ensure social distancing is maintained in high traffic areas."
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A statement issued by Isle of Anglesey County Council said: "The North Wales Regional Test, Trace, Protect team is responding to the cluster of coronavirus cases at the 2 Sisters plant in Llangefni as a priority, and supporting the workplace.
"Key agencies including Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Health and Safety Executive and both Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils are working together to support and advise the employer and those employees who have tested positive, together with their contacts."
Sky News is awaiting a response from M&S.