Keelings Fruit has confirmed that it has experienced a “small number” of Covid-19 cases across its workforce over the course of the pandemic.
However, none of these have evolved into clusters, the company highlighted.
In a statement to AgriLand, Keelings said: “Across our workforce of [around] 2,000 employees, we have had a small number of confirmed cases of Covid-19, like most employers of our size.
All of these cases have been isolated and we have not experienced any clusters on our farm or packing facilities.
“At the start of the pandemic, we put a Covid-19 management team into place to implement a series of new policies and practices which have been stringently adhered to across the business,” the statement added.
It continued: “This is not something we take for granted and we are hugely appreciative to our employees for their commitment in adopting these new ways of working.
“We will continue to diligently implement and encourage these good practices in order to protect our valued workforce,” the Keelings statement concluded.
Glanbia
Separately, Glanbia confirmed to AgriLand yesterday (Tuesday, August 18) that four cases of the virus emerged at a facility in Ballitore, Co. Kildare.
In a statement, Glanbia said: “Glanbia Ireland confirms that our business continuity processes [BCP] have been escalated at our Ballitore, Co. Kildare, facility in response to four positive coronavirus [Covid-19] cases among the workforce.
“The health and safety of our employees, our customers and our suppliers is our top priority. We are working closely with local health authorities and following all appropriate advice,” the Glanbia statement added.