Image copyright
Google
A chicken processing plant that has contracts with KFC, Tesco and Marks & Spencer has suspended production and closed due to a coronavirus outbreak.
Public Health Wales said there were 51 confirmed Covid-19 cases at 2 Sisters in Llangefni on Anglesey, with 110 people said to be self-isolating.
Closing the plant for two weeks, the company said it was to "demonstrate how seriously we take this issue".
Health Minister Vaughan Gething admitted the outbreak was a "concern".
He said the outbreak "reiterates the importance of social distancing and hand hygiene".
About a quarter of the 500-strong workforce at the chicken processing plant were self-isolating, according to unions, while the company had introduced thermal temperature checks and employed marshalls to ensure social distancing was maintained.
But 2 Sisters has now temporarily shut the plant as "the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is ultimately the thing that matters most at our business".
"In light of the current Covid-19 cases at our Llangefni site, we have decided to take the necessary action to clearly demonstrate how seriously we take this issue by doing the right thing," said a company statement.
"Doing the right thing means from today (Thursday June 18th) we will temporarily suspend production at our Llangefni site with immediate effect for a period of 14 days.
"We will not tolerate any unnecessary risks - however small - for our existing loyal workforce at the facility."
2 Sisters Food Group is one of the largest food producers in the UK, with brands including Fox's Biscuits and Holland's Pies.
The company also produces about a third of all the poultry products consumed each day in the UK.
'Without our people we are nothing'
2 Sisters said they have worked in "close collaboration" with Public Health Wales, Anglesey council, the Health and Safety Executive and unions who have offered "advice, scientific knowledge and support."
"The health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is ultimately the thing that matters most at our business," added the company statement.
"We are a responsible company with people at its core. Without our people we are nothing.
"Our sole focus now is to ensure we support all our colleagues through this time and look forward to operating safely and securely in 14 days' time."