Coronavirus: Farlington Sainsbury's says safety is 'highest priority' after concerns over staff protection from Covid-19

Sainsbury’s in Farlington confirmed that two of its workers tested positive for Covid-19 and a small number self-isolated before returning to work at the store.

Bosses said ‘safety was the highest priority’ after some workers felt that they weren’t being protected from the spread of Covid-19.

One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘The management have not taken any specific action, and when the issue is raised, it is deflected or brushed aside as a non issue, and it is enabling staff that believe that Covid-19 is not a big problem to continue to break the rules.

‘I think the public should know that there has been an outbreak at the store, that the company has not added any extra protections to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to the public, and the culture is not one that protects them.

‘The management are not being proactive in checking that staff are Covid negative.’

Sainsbury’s said additional cleaning and social distancing measures are in place and workers have access to hand sanitiser and PPE.

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A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: ‘Two colleagues tested positive at our Farlington store and self-isolated at home. A small number of other colleagues self-isolated as a precaution and have now returned to work.

‘Safety is our highest priority. We continue to have strict safety measures in place in all our stores, including additional cleaning and social distancing measures, as well as hand sanitiser stations, Perspex screens and PPE for all our colleagues.

‘We continue to support Test and Trace and remain in close contact with them.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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