Coronavirus: Princes factory reopens after 14 confirmed cases

Wisbech produces canned and pouch products, including baked beans, soups, pulses, pasta, vegetables and sauces. 

It is the latest food company to have coronavirus cases on-site. It has been revealed that the number of coronavirus cases at the ​2 Sisters chicken plant in Llangefni​​, Wales has increased to 200. 

There was also news last week of a localised outbreak at an Asda meat processing site in Kirklees​​, operated by Kober Ltd, as well as the Rowan Foods site in Wrexham, North Wales which has reported positive cases. 

Government advice​

A Princes spokesperson said it had been following Government advice since theoutbreak of COVID-19. ​

“We can confirm 14 of our Wisbech-based colleagues have recently tested positive for coronavirus. The total number of colleagues at Wisbech is 407​,” a Princes spokesman said. 

Self-isolate​

“As soon as these colleagues were symptomatic, they were asked to self-isolate and contact the health authorities to be tested, and to be logged as part of track-and-trace efforts. A deep clean of the facilities these colleagues used was also conducted, alongside further stringent cleaning across the site. As an additional step, we took the responsible decision to temporarily close the whole site for 24 hours, so a further deep clean could be completed. The site has now reopened.” ​

Princes said it had implemented social distancing measures and adapted its work environment in line with relevant guidance to minimise the chances of infection within the factory.

“All colleagues who are able to work from home are doing so and we have taken steps to ensure we have adequate supply of PPE [personal protective equipment] for our colleagues,” ​the spokesman said. 

“We remain in close contact with Public Health England and Fenland Council, so they are fully informed of our approach and developments at the site.”​