Coronavirus Kent: Amazon employee at Rochester warehouse tests positive for Covid-19
15:06, 02 May 2020
updated: 15:17, 02 May 2020
An Amazon employee who works in one of its Kent warehouses has tested positive for coronavirus.
The company confirmed a worker at their LCY8 site in James Swallow Way, Hoo, Rochester, had contracted the virus and is now in quarantine.
An Amazon spokesman said they are currently supporting the individual while they isolate.
They added: "Since the early days of this situation, we have worked closely with local authorities to proactively respond, ensuring we continue to serve customers while taking care of our associates and we’re following all guidelines from local officials about the operations of our buildings.
"We have implemented proactive measures at our facilities to protect employees including increased cleaning at all facilities, maintaining social distance and adding distance between drivers and customers when making deliveries.
"Through the measures we worked rapidly to implement, we expect to spend more than $800 million in the first half of the year on Covid‑19 safety measures.
"This includes purchasing items like masks, hand sanitizer, thermal cameras, thermometers, sanitizing wipes, gloves, and additional handwashing stations, as well as using disinfectant spraying in buildings, procuring Covid‑19 testing supplies, and hiring more janitorial staff.
One employee at the site, who wished to remain anonymous, said they did not feel safe in the warehouse and there is "safety issues".
However, the company claims to have increased cleaning, which includes regular sanitisation of door handles, stairways, elevators, lockers and touch screens, as well as number of of other measures to reduce the risk of getting Covid-19.
The warehouse opened in Medway back in 2018 and created more than 200 jobs.
