Coronavirus cases confirmed at Burton Latimer distribution centre

A national logistics company has confirmed a number of positive coronavirus cases at its Burton Latimer site.

Eddie Stobart, one of the UK's most well-known logistics companies, has confirmed to the Northants Telegraph that a number of staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.

An anonymous source said at least eight people at Latimer Park, a Morrisons distribution centre with transportation provided by Eddie Stobart, had tested positive for coronavirus and more are isolating with symptoms or because they had been in direct contact with a confirmed case.

In a statement issued today (Friday, October 30), a spokesman for Eddie Stobart said: "Eddie Stobart can confirm that a small number of our colleagues have tested positive within the Burton Latimer site and we wish them a speedy recovery."

Morrisons declined to comment yesterday (Thursday, October 29) and a spokesman said before Eddie Stobart's statement: "We don't give a running commentary on the number of cases at each site but the report you've heard is incorrect."

Morrisons has been contacted again today for comment.

The anonymous source said the affected distribution centre is Latimer Park, a Morrisons distribution centre in Burton Latimer, and that Eddie Stobart recently took over the transport.

Eddie Stobart reported in August that it had been contracted by Morrisons to provide transport from two distribution centres, but it did not specify which centres.

The anonymous source said: "There are around 20 managers and team leaders and office personnel who thought it was safe not to wear masks in their area.

"However eight of them have now been confirmed of contracting the virus.

"Up until two days ago, there were also drivers waiting in the drivers room with numbers of 30 at a time. Again, some with masks and some without. Surely this shouldn't have been allowed?"

The source said since the coronavirus cases had been confirmed a marquee had been put up outside the office to allow for better distancing but added: "Surely this is a case of locking the gate when the horse has bolted?"

The distribution centre is extremely busy, with the anonymous source estimating 250 to 300 drivers passing through the 24-hour centre in any single day.

In its statement, a spokesman for Eddie Stobart said: "The health, safety and wellbeing of all of our colleagues is absolutely paramount and we have gone to great lengths to ensure all employees are safe.

"We have put in place robust measures, all in line with the government guidelines, and invested in further safety measures to protect our key workers. Furthermore, we have put in place a ‘working bubble’ across the site to ensure a safe working environment.

"These are unprecedented circumstances and our priorities are the safety and welfare of our colleagues.

"We continue to enforce strict hygiene and social distancing measures in all of our distribution centres, and work hard to keep our people safe, whilst operationally delivering service excellence and utilising the technology and tools that are at our disposal."

In today's press conference, director of public health for Northamptonshire, Lucy Wightman, said anyone with concerns about their workplace's coronavirus regulations should contact their local environmental health officers through their local councils.

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