Holdsworth Foods depot in Halifax temporarily closes due to COVID-19 outbreak among staff

The depot, based at Holywell Green, is a wholesale catering butchers and employs 24 members of staff on the site.

In a statement, they said: “Despite the implementation of stringent safety measures throughout our business, a small number of staff at our Halifax site have tested positive for COVID-19 during the last week.

“All remaining staff have now isolated and will be tested. We have taken the voluntary decision to temporarily suspend operations from the site.

“We are liaising closely with the Environmental Health team at Calderdale Council and also with Public Health England who are advising us through the process.

“The safety of staff and customers is of utmost importance to us and we are working hard to minimise disruption to our normal service. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure of this site and we will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Calderdale Council’s Consultant in Public Health, Ben Leaman, said: “A small number of staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at Holdsworth Foods outside Elland.

“The safety of staff, customers and the wider community always comes first, and we are working closely with Holdsworth Foods and Public Health England to make sure any infection is contained, as set out in our Local Outbreak Prevention and Control plan.

“The business has now decided to temporarily close to avoid any further workplace transmission and to allow staff to self-isolate. We have arranged testing for all staff and NHS Test and Trace will be making contact with those who came into contact with staff during the infectious period. Any contacts will be given the necessary advice about self-isolating. This is vital so that we can control the spread of the virus and protect our community from further infection.

“As the virus is still within our community, we should all continue to keep at least two metres away from people outside our households wherever possible, wash our hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching our face and follow the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ guidance to help keep ourselves and others safe. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay at home and book a test as soon as possible, within five days of the symptoms starting. Face coverings must be worn when travelling on public transport or in a taxi. It is also recommended that people wear face coverings whenever they are indoors with people who are not part of their household or bubble.”