Investigations at Tayto as Corby factory introduces one-way system

A tent appeared outside the Tayto factory in Corby this weekend

Checks have been carried out at the Tayto factory after the MP for Corby and East Northants referred the coronavirus outbreak at the site to the authorities.

Tom Pursglove MP confirmed he had raised the issue with Northamptonshire County Council, Corby Council and the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group on Friday.

Staff at the factory say there are between 16 to 20 cases of coronavirus at the site.

The tent is part of a new one-way system and was set up this weekend

Today (Monday), two members of staff said there had been checks or inspections at the Tayto factory.

One said: "HSE (the Health and Safety Executive) have been in today, don't know what the outcome is yet."

Another said: "They had a visit today, I don't know who the visit was from but there have been visitors in and they are making sure people are social distancing, so through all of this maybe some good has come of it."

HSE said: "HSE is currently making enquiries at the site. As enquiries are ongoing, we can’t comment further at this time."

On Friday, Corby Council said: "Corby Council is aware of a report of a number of positive coronavirus cases in one of Corby’s factories.

"Advice was provided to the business by Environmental Health together with how to access infection control support via Public Health England. Health and safety enforcement on site is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Representatives for NCC and the NHS CCG have not yet responded to requests for comment.

News of visits to the Corby factory follows the construction of a large tent outside the Tayto site on Saturday (May 16).

Staff say the tent is part of a new one-way system to support social distancing.

One person said: "The white tunnel thing outside is the entrance, so you basically go in one way and then out the other.

"If you do go outside, you have to go around the one way system."

Another said: "That tent will be so they can introduce a one way system so we're not crossing in the corridor."

Previously, staff had said social distancing was almost impossible in a narrow corridor they had to walk down to enter and leave the production floor.