Superdrug shuts down keywork warehouse operation for 32 hours after four staff test positive for Covid-19

The commercial operation on South Elmsall's Stadium Way has continued as part of the key industries working under lockdown.

But several staff members had contacted the Express in recent days to voice their concerns after the first two colleagues had tested positive for the virus.

After approaching the health and beauty high street firm, a spokesman for the company confirmed the warehouse shut for just over a day.

They added: "The facility closed to allow us to support our teams by implementing some additional procedures, which are over and above the government guidelines.

"Any colleagues who came into close contact have been instructed to self-isolate in line with government guidelines and will be paid in full whilst off work.

"At this stage we have no reason to believe the cases are connected as the colleagues work in separate areas of our distribution centre.

"The health and wellbeing of our teams is our number one priority and we want to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect them during these difficult times."

Superdrug said prior to closure it was already following government guidelines by chemically cleaning the site every Saturday, was segregating shifts to keep workers apart, and keeping two-metre social distancing practices.

The company says it is now re-open, and has introduced temperature checking for all workers, carried out by local 'Superdrug Nurses' before colleagues enter the facility to start their shift.

Workers say they have felt anxious in recent weeks about being asked to continue working at the site, especially after the first two workers were diagnosed with coronavirus.

One employee, who did not want to give his name for fear of being reprimanded, contacted the Express prior to the temporary closure announcement.

He said: "People are panicking and we've not being get enough information from the company.

"People need reassuring, and they don't want to be there.

"When management are about the social distancing is okay, but at other times nobody is doing it."

While the company is producing pharmaceutical products, the worker said many of the orders they were dispatching were not non-essential items, including make-up and perfume.

Clothes manufacturer Next, which is based opposite the Superdrug warehouse, was also criticised last month after continuing to operate after lockdown, but mounting pressure forced them shut. They have since partially re-opened.