CLAIMS that workers were ‘bused in’ to Anglesey from Flintshire during a localised spike in coronavirus cases at a chicken processing factory have been addressed by the company.
It has been previously reported that dozens of workers at a Anglesey-based poultry plant run by the 2 Sisters Food Group have tested positive for coronavirus.
Following the conclusion of the rapid screening phase for COVID-19 among employees associated with the poultry processing plant in Llangefni, Public Health Wales has - to date - identified a total of 158 positive cases.
In a statement on June 18, a spokesman for the 2 Sisters Food Group said: "The health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is ultimately the thing that matters most at our business. We are a responsible company with people at its core. Without our people we are nothing.”
The 2 Sisters plant in Sandycroft, Flintshire
As a result, production at the North Wales chicken processing plant was shut down for a two-week following a localised outbreak.
The spokesman added: "We will not tolerate any unnecessary risks - however small - for our existing loyal workforce at the facility."
Concerns were raised by Flintshire’s Welsh Labour MP and MS about potential ‘busing in’ of employee’s from the facility based in Sandycroft prior to the shutdown and demands were made for the site staff to be tested due to possible infection.
Jack Sargeant MS and Mark Tami MP addressed a letter about their fears to company’s HR director John Allan as well as Stuart Dean, general manager at the 2 Sisters Sandycroft site, and shared on their social media pages.
After outlining the context of the letter, it read: “We believe employees based in Sandycroft have been “bussed in” to your site in Llangefni to help with production pressures. With this in mind, we request that all employees on the Sandycroft site are now tested for COVID-19.
“We also expect you to review all current procedures and associated risk assessments as a matter of urgency, and where necessary, implement safety measures including protective screening in production areas immediately.”
Responding to the letter sent by Flintshire politicians, a spokesman for the 2 Sisters Food Group said: “It is disappointing to be made aware of this letter via social media and the local press, since we are not in receipt of it at the business.
“It was also unnecessary. A phone call to us and we would have been able to advise that our records show a total of six colleagues arrived from locations outside Llangefni from May 28 to June 5 and were placed in 14-day self-isolation.
“Llangefni has not received colleagues from any other site since June 5. No other sites were at risk or affected.”
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