Coronavirus: Spike in NHS Test and Trace alerts at Fareham bus depot

First Solent said there had been an ‘increase’ in staff at its Fareham depot being advised by the NHS Test and Trace service to isolate over close contacts with positive cases.

But the company said this had been ‘without them showing symptoms or testing positively’.

Marc Reddy, managing director at First Solent, said the company has ‘rigorous’ safety procedures.

He said: ‘We can confirm that we had an increase in Fareham Depot-based staff being advised by the NHS Test and Trace app to self isolate without them showing symptoms or testing positively.

‘As a result we are making a small service level reduction on a temporary basis and will be operating a Saturday level timetable during the week on some services, with full information on our website.

‘Service levels will be reinstated as soon as possible.

‘We are confident that we are doing everything we can to keep staff and passengers as safe as possible.

‘Across our operations, First operates very rigorous Covid safety procedures that apply to all areas and all staff, from the moment anyone enters their place of work until the last vehicle has been thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant and viricidal cleaner and parked up ready for their next deployment.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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