Banham Poultry reopens chicken processing facility after Covid-19 outbreak

UK-based Banham Poultry has reportedly reopened its facility in Attleborough, Norfolk, which was closed after a major outbreak of Covid-19.

On 31 August, BBC reported that nearly 100 poultry workers were tested positive for Covid-19 at the chicken processing plant.

Banham Poultry managing director Blaine von Rensburg said that the closure was part of the company’s commitment to ensure the safety of its staff members.

Rensburg said: “Poultry businesses have extremely long supply chains, with money locked up in livestock. When processing facilities are shut down, it has an impact.

“The workforce had been asked to stay at home for two weeks on statutory sick pay and did not have access to the furlough scheme so they have suffered really badly.

“We also reiterate our call to the government to provide compensatory frameworks for businesses who, through no fault of their own, have had to shut down due to Covid-19.”

The closure is said to have cost the business nearly £2m a week as it was unable to process thousands of chickens.

Banham Poultry further explained that it is taking various measures to ensure employee safety returning to the reopened facility.

As part of its measures, the company is said to have installed thermal imaging and a dry disinfectant mist at the site.

Employees and visitors will have to pass through these devices to enter the factory.

Banham Poultry has also implemented a one-way system across the entire site.

Last month, approximately 100 employees working at Banham Poultry’s Attleborough facility were tested positive for Covid-19.