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Bernard Matthews introduces Covid-19 bus marshals as 53 workers test positive


By PA News

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Fifty-three workers at a Bernard Matthews turkey plant in Suffolk have tested positive for coronavirus.

The firm has brought in Covid-19 bus marshals on its free staff transport in response to the outbreak at the facility in Holton near Halesworth.

Around 1,000 staff work at the site and 125 of them have been tested for coronavirus, with the majority returning negative results.

Most of the workers who have tested positive live in the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft areas.

Thirty-nine of the 53 workers who tested positive are currently self-isolating, with the others having finished their period of self-isolation.

Food production at the facility has not been affected.

Latest numbers were released in a statement by Public Health Suffolk, Public Health Norfolk, Public Health England and Bernard Matthews on Tuesday.

A general view of Bernard Matthews turkey farm in Holton, Suffolk (Gareth Fuller/PA)
A general view of Bernard Matthews turkey farm in Holton, Suffolk (Gareth Fuller/PA)

It detailed additional measures that have been put in place.

“Whilst Bernard Matthews cannot prevent their staff from being exposed to Covid-19 off-site, at home and in the community, they have introduced extra on-site measures to protect staff,” the statement said.

“New entrances have been created to aid one-way movement of staff, breaks are being staggered, more working bubbles have been created and bus marshals have been rolled out on the firm’s free staff transport.

“This is in addition to measures which have been in place at the facility since March 2020.”

Stuart Keeble, Suffolk’s director of public health, said: “I welcome the additional measures Bernard Matthews’ management team has put in place to control this outbreak.

“They’ve acted quickly and are working well with public health colleagues.

“These additional measures, both within the factory and on their staff transport, add to the strong and clear messages we have been giving to their staff and the wider public.

“Everyone must remain alert and keep following the social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing advice.

“Together, we will be able to stop the spread of Covid-19.”

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