British meat factory hit by coronavirus outbreak as 100 workers self-isolate
A BRITISH meat factory has been hit by a coronavirus outbreak as 100 workers self-isolate.
At least one staff member at the 2 Sisters Food Group site in Anglesey, North Wales is being treated in hospital and 12 others have tested positive.
Paddy McNaught, regional officer for Unite the Union, described it as a "major" outbreak after a quarter of the plant's 560 workers are self-isolating.
He added: "The company are taking this seriously.
"Our stewards are working with the company on site to put protective measures in place.
"But there's no doubt that people are very frightened.
"They're concerned about bringing the virus home to vulnerable members of their families, and they're concerned about creating a spike in cases on the island."
The 2 Sisters Food Group is one of the largest food producers in the UK, with sites across the UK and brands including Fox's Biscuits and Holland's Pies.
It also produces about a third of all the poultry products consumed each day in the country and has more than 7,000 workers in its specialist factories.
A spokesman told : "We have had a series of measures in place for some time including regular and intensive deep cleaning and disinfecting regimes, the wearing of protective visors in production areas and implementing social distancing throughout the factory."
In a statement the company said it was "working to provide the safest possible working environment" at the site in Llangefni, Anglesey.
It added: "As a company policy we will confirm cases, but will not provide running commentaries nor disclose employee data."
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A spokesman for Anglesey council said: "The North Wales Regional Test, Trace, Protect team is responding to the cluster of coronavirus cases at the Two 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."