Testing facility set up at Amazon fulfillment centre as Covid-19 cases discovered
Workers building the new Amazon fulfillment centre at Summit Park in Sutton in Ashfield are to be tested daily for coronavirus after 39 cases at the site were discovered.
The testing of staff started on Tuesday September 8 and will last until Thursday this week. Work carried out by Bowmer & Kirkland staff at the site stopped while a deep clean was carried out.
The Covid-19 cases were discovered over the last six days.
Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The Council’s public health team has been monitoring the situation at the site. In conjunction with our partners in the National Institute of Health Protection, Ashfield District Council, and the local NHS, we have stepped up our testing strategy.
“Nottinghamshire County Council has been working closely with the main contracting employer at the site, Bowmer + Kirkland in order to make testing available. Bowmer + Kirkland has already put in place a high standard of on-site safety measures. By standing down the site to implement a deep clean they have demonstrated how seriously they are taking the matter and we are grateful for their cooperation.
“The testing will take place from Tuesday 8 September until Thursday 10 September and will be only for all operatives at the Summit Park site. Summit Park is currently being built by main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland on behalf of development partners Sladen Estates and Peveril Securities. The site is due to become home to a new Amazon Fulfillment Centre.
Gribbin continued: “The single best strategy for reducing the spread of COVID-19 is that everyone adheres to the government guidance in full. This includes frequent, rigorous handwashing, maintaining 2 meters distance – and 1 metre plus specified precautions where 2 metres is not possible, wearing a face covering where required, isolating immediately and getting a free test if you have symptoms.
Bowmer + Group construction director, David Scorer, said: “The health and safety of our workforce is our absolute priority and we are working closely with Nottinghamshire County Council Public Health Teams and the NHS to introduce this testing facility. There are between 600-700 people working at the Summit Park site so we have reinforced our rigorous and effective control measures, including social distancing working practices, removal of canteen facilities, additional deep cleaning and discouraging car sharing. Our workplace induction programmes include comprehensive COVID-19 secure guidance that everyone on site must adhere to.
“The testing facility will be a very welcome addition to the existing measures we have in place so we can identify any further positive cases and take action as necessary.”
