Five Amazon workers fall ill after complaints over lack of social distancing

Five contract workers at an Amazon Fulfilment Centre have fallen ill after raising concerns about social distancing.

The contract workers, who were finishing off the site on Symmetry Park in Darlington, County Durham, had complained of health and safety concerns after a whistleblower alleged contract workers were not social distancing.

The whistleblower, who did not wish to be identified, said that those contracted to finish the warehouse were not allowed to keep a ‘two-metre distance’ between their colleagues. One worker said: ‘Five workers have fallen ill and the (contractor) management are telling us its food poisoning.’

On Wednesday Amazon denied claims of wrongdoing and said it had ‘reminded’ contractors of the government’s official Covid-19 guidance and ensured it is adhered to at all times.

‘The workers have been sent home and others have quit their jobs.’

Another worker said: ‘They are claiming we are key workers because Covid-19 test kits will be stored here.’

‘This is being used as an excuse to get the works on site finished.’

An Amazon spokesperson said that the company had ‘ensured the contractors on site have been reminded of the guidance and that this is adhered to at all times.’