JD Sports has reportedly set up a mobile testing lab at its central
warehouse in Rochdale after some of its workers there tested positive for
Covid-19.
“Acknowledging our responsibilities as one of the largest employers in
the area, we are pleased to be working with the NHS and the 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,” a JD
Sports spokesperson said in a statement seen by the Guardian.
“This testing facility has been made available as part of the council’s
ongoing community initiatives in the Rochdale area, and will 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.”
Rochdale was named one of the Covid-19 hotspots in the UK earlier this
month.
Rochdale borough council said it was looking into whether there were any
links between cases in the area and the company’s warehouse. It is
understood, however, that of nearly 500 JD Sports workers tested this
weekend through the new mobile lab, only one additional person tested
positive.
’Cautious approach’
Rochdale borough council’s director of public health, Andrea Fallon,
said: “We are aware of a small number of positive cases at JD Sports who
have been contacted as part of our local contact tracing service, and are
now all self-isolating. 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
resources to offer testing to as many employees as possible.”
The council has reportedly made over 10 visits to the site during the
pandemic, several unannounced, and have seen no violations of social
distancing.
In June, Leicester became the first city in the UK to enforce a local
lockdown following a spike in Covid-19 cases, with reports linking the
outbreak to warehouses in the area which were making clothing for Boohoo.
The fashion retailer has since come under fire following reports of poor
working conditions at those sites.
Allegations of workers being forced to work even when they were ill and
being paid 3.50 per hour led to the company’s stocks plummeting as big-name
brands like Asos, Next and Zalando pulled its brands from their sites.
On Wednesday, the company announced it would be launching an independent
review of its UK supply chain.
Images courtesy of JD Sports/Silverburn
