A number of coronavirus-positive cases among workers has led to the partial closure of a processing plant operated by Banham Poultry of the United Kingdom.
Following positive tests for coronavirus (COVID-19) in 80 workers, the management of Banham Poultry has closed one area of the premises in Attleborough in the eastern English county of Norfolk.
More than 375 workers out of the 800 employed at the processing plant have been tested for the virus. Apart from one area, the facility remains open, reports Great Yarmouth Mercury. Public health authorities in the county ordered the closure only of the cutting room. However, they stated they would close the whole factory if the national government ordered such a measure.
Safety measures, controls in place
The decision to opt for a partial closure was supported by the firm’s assurances about safety measures in operation at the facility.
Social distancing measures have been in place since March, and separation screens have been introduced where distancing was impossible, according to Banham Poultry’s managing director Blaine Van Rensburg.
Hand sanitizer is available across the site, and there is a control point at each door touchpoint. Cleaning services operate throughout the day, and there is a full deep-clean every night, he said. All staff are provided with and use personal protective equipment (PPE). To minimize concentration of workers, shift patterns have been staggered.
A dedicated team ensures that all safety rules are adhered to, said Van Rensburg.
Support for affected workers
Like other workers who are required to self-isolate at home because of positive coronavirus tests, Banham Poultry workers have been offered support.
In the United Kingdom, anyone who has tested positive must isolate for 10 days from the day of receiving a positive test result. If someone has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, they need to isolate for 14 days.
Local authority Norfolk County Council has pledged affected households that they will receive food, medical, and financial support, reports Eastern Daily Press. Details of the help available — in eight different languages — has been sent to all workers affected by the closure.
More on Banham Poultry
Banham Poultry is a poultry integrator based in Attleborough. With weekly slaughtering of around 650,000 chickens, the firm’s annual turnover is GBP100 million (US$133 million).
Its own hatchery supplies all farms producing poultry for the company. Whether owned, rented, or leased, all rearing facilities are registered under the Assured Chicken Production scheme.
With around 600 employees working in two shifts, Banham Poultry says its finished products comprise around 55% whole birds, and 45% portions. Products are distributed in the firm’s own refrigerated transport to major supermarkets, and other established stores and wholesalers throughout the country.
COVID-19 impacts on the global meat sector
Like Banham Poultry, many of the world’s leading meat companies have recently been forced into the temporary closure of facilties following multiple coronavirus-positve results in the workforce. These include the U.K.’s 2 Sisters Food Group, Tönnies of Germany, JBS in Brazil, and in the U.S, Tyson Foods and Foster Farms.
COVID-19 has impacted almost every aspect of our daily life. Among the changes is a marked increase in on-line grocery shopping in the U.K. With the virus accelerating a previously observed trend, online is fast becoming the channel favored by old and young alike.
View our continuing coverage of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
