Covid-19 alert at Scarborough coachbuilder Plaxton: Hundreds of workers sent home as parts of factory deep-cleaned

Around 300 of the 550 people usually working at the coachbuilding factory in Eastfield were asked to leave for three hours while the cleaning and sanitisation took place after an employee was suspected to have the disease, the company said.

A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), owners of Plaxton, said: "Following the discovery of a suspected coronavirus case at our factory in Scarborough, we have confirmed that the employee in question was not in close contact with any other team members.

"All affected areas of the facility were deep cleaned and sanitised using a fogging system before team members were allowed to return to the affected areas.

"ADL prioritises the health and safety of all of its team members and has been proactive in minimising the coronavirus risk for all employees.

"As part of these efforts, all staff working at ADL’s sites have undergone an induction and have been issued with booklets detailing the protective measures that have been adopted.

Two more virus cases in Scarborough borough - pushing the infection rate up to its highest since late June

"These include a focus on good hygiene, enhanced cleaning regimes and one-way walking systems to avoid conflicts when moving around our sites.

"All team members have been issued with washable face masks and personal refillable hand sanitiser bottles.

"ADL continues to maintain a two metre social distancing rule and face coverings are compulsory for all our production staff in Scarborough."

The employee is at home until he is cleared to return to work.

ADL hit the headlines last month after announcing up to 650 jobs could go at its factories across the UK.

It is not yet clear how many employees will be affected at Plaxton's Eastfield factory, which employs 750 workers.

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