Farm workers went on shopping trips to Primark and three supermarkets on days before 75 tested positive for coronavirus
WORKERS at a coronavirus-ravaged farm went on a shopping trip to Primark and three supermarkets days before 75 tested positive.
Around 200 workers are now being forced to isolate in mobile homes on the site in Herefordshire.
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There are now fears infected workers at AS Green and Co on Rock Row Farm, in Mathon, may have unwittingly spread the virus after going on a shopping spree.
North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin confirmed members of the group were taken by minibus to Worcester where they shopped in the city's Primark store.
The group also shopped in the Iceland supermarket and the Romanian store in the city before being driven to a Morrisons supermarket in nearby Malvern, Worcs.
Mr Wiggin said in a statement: "I commend the action so far taken and I believe this has been a very good example of the effectiveness of the work done to combat and neutralise mini-outbreaks of Covid-19 not only in the County but also county-wide.
"I continue to be in contact with Public Health England, Herefordshire County Council and the Government regarding the situation.
"It is reaffirming to hear that Public Health England have declared there is no immediate threat to the wider community, however, we must not be complacent.
"The farm in question is incredibly rural and all those living on-site will remain isolated for the time-being."
He thanked the residents of Herefordshire, and those who had worked to help drive essentials and supplies to the quarantined farm.
The Covid-19 outbreak come during harvesting season, where workers live on site on the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border.
The farm has closed for all visitors but it says PHE has advised that "it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging".
Herefordshire Council is arranging food and essential supplies for residents on the site.
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