Call for JD Sports warehouse to shut after workers test positive for virus
A COUNCILLOR has called for a JD Sports warehouse to be closed after a ‘small number’ of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
Around 500 people were tested over the weekend following the discovery of a number of positive cases and a mobile testing facility has now been set up at the company’s site in Rochdale.
The firm says it is working with the council and the NHS, adding the ‘health and safety of our colleagues is always our highest priority.’
But Coun John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration, business, skills and employment, said JD
‘need to consider their operation and their precautions.’
He added: “This could potentially harm thousands of lives across Rochdale, Oldham and Bury.
“I personally don’t see how they [the warehouse] can remain open given how many people are coming into contact in the warehouse and how many are going in and out of that warehouse every day.
“There are hundreds of people in there at a time and it can live on a surface for up to 72 hours. Ultimately JD are responsible for the behaviour of staff members. If I go to work and someone else is behaving in a dangerous manner it’s up to the employer to keep me safe. Given how quickly this spreads the potential volume of people that could get this is frightening. JD needs to act fast.”
In March, the M.E.N. received dozens of emails from workers who said it was ‘impossible’ to maintain two-metre social distancing rules inside the Kingsway Industrial Estate warehouse. Worker Adam Lord was later dismissed from his job at the warehouse after sharing pictures which he said showed a lack of social distancing.
During the coronavirus pandemic the council’s public protection team has made several visits to JD Sports.
They were given access to the whole site, inspecting all procedures, including staff training. On every occasion officers found the measures to be comprehensive and fully in line with government guidelines, the council said.
Andrea Fallon, Rochdale council’s director of public health, said:
“Although the numbers are small and we are still working to understand if there are any possible links, we are taking a cautious approach and working closely with JD to bring in additional resource to offer testing to as many employees as possible.”
JD Sports said in a statement: “JD notes and welcomes the recently announced fall in the number of positive Covid-19 tests across North Manchester, and particularly in the Rochdale and Oldham areas which are home to many of our Kingsway colleagues. However, we are aware that the number of positive tests in these areas is still ahead of the national average.
“Acknowledging our responsibilities as one of the largest employers in the area, we are pleased to be working with the NHS and local council to provide a mobile NHS testing facility on site, with voluntary tests available for any colleagues who are looking for peace of mind. This testing facility has been made available as part of the council’s ongoing community initiatives in the Rochdale area, and will hopefully be available to colleagues on a number of days over the next two weeks. The health and safety of our colleagues is always our highest priority and we will continue to take all measures to protect their wellbeing.”