PrettyLittleThing issues statement after 28 workers at Sheffield depot test positive for Covid-1

An investigation was launched after the employees tested positive for the virus at the same time.

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Sheffield MP Clive Betts said a public health investigation into the cluster at the fashion warehouse around a month ago found that the virus had been transmitted in the community rather than in the workplace.

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He said it emerged that most of those who contracted the illness lived together and shared lifts to work.

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But the MP said he has been contacted by around 50 workers during the pandemic who are concerned about coronavirus precautions in place at the warehouse, which he raised with Sheffield Council and the Health and Safety Executive.

In a statement, PrettyLittleThing, which is owned by Boohoo, said: “Since the onset of the pandemic Clipper logistics, who operate the warehouse in Sheffield, have been closely following and adhering to all the guidance provided by the Government. “This guidance included the permission for all online retailers to continue to trade and for those that were unable to work from home to go to work.

"To do this safely, they have fundamentally changed how they operate the warehouse to accommodate all the necessary social distancing, hygiene and self-isolation rules to eliminate risk and to keep everyone safe.

"They have ensured that they have kept local officials and the Environmental Health updated and offered an open invitation for them to visit whenever they wanted to both inspect, so speak to employees and to offer any advice on any additional measures that they could be taking, because the absolute priority is to protect the wellbeing of everyone in the Clipper team.

“Boohoo’s CEO and senior team have also visited the site on numerous occasion to observe measures for themselves and to speak to the team and ensure that they are happy.”

Director of Public Health at Sheffield City Council, Greg Fell, said:”We are aware of the business in question and they have cooperated fully by implementing appropriate health and safety measures with support and guidance from our Environmental Health teams.

"Sheffield City Council Environmental Health team have been working with a wide range of businesses in the city to support them to make their workplaces safe for staff.

"This workplace has been in regular contact with Environmental Health staff and has been cooperating with our teams in maintaining and increasing measures to protect staff and to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

"Investigations carried out by Sheffield City Council and Public Health England indicate a transmission was more likely to have occurred within households in the local community, and we continue to work with the company to prevent new cases.”