Lidl becomes first supermarket chain to CLOSE a UK store after staff catch coronavirus – but shoppers are told doors will reopen on Monday
- Lidl say workers had been diagnosed with Covid-19 at the Middlesbrough branch
- Shoppers said the supermarket on Cargo Fleet Lane closed its doors on Friday
- Middlesbrough Council had previously said the area had seen high death rates
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Lidl has become the first supermarket chain to close a UK store after some staff members caught coronavirus.
The German retailer confirmed shop workers had been diagnosed with Covid-19 at the branch in Middlesbrough.
Shoppers said the supermarket on Cargo Fleet Lane closed its doors on Friday and remained closed over the weekend due to a shortage of staff amid the outbreak.
It is not currently known how many members of staff have tested positive for the virus.
The German discount supermarket chain confirmed shop workers had been diagnosed with Covid-19 at the branch in Middlesbrough (pictured)
Lidl have said it is vitally important that they reopen the store as soon as they can to ensure that households have access to the essential food and products they need.
Middlesbrough Council have previously said the TS3 postcode area home to the Lidl store had a high number of deaths due to Covid-19.
Those living in the area have received a leaflet reminding them of the importance of following the coronavirus lockdown guidelines.
There have been a series of coronavirus deaths at James Cook University Hospital in the area. It is unclear what has caused the higher death rate, with Middlesbrough having 559 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
In a statement, Lidl said: ‘All supermarkets are currently operating under exceptional circumstances, and the safety of our colleagues and customers is critical to us.
‘We have been in touch with those members of our team that have tested positive for Covid-19, to offer our support and wish them a speedy recovery.
Lidl have said it is vitally important that they reopen the store as soon as they can to ensure that households have access to the essential food and products they need. Pictured: People queued outside the Slough branch of the Lidl supermarket earlier this week
‘We fully understand that this is a concerning and difficult time, not only for our own workforce but for the whole country.
‘We have been closely following government advice throughout this period and have stringent measures in place across all of our business areas to protect colleagues and customers.
‘Our teams are all playing a crucial role in continuing to feed communities across the country. It is therefore vitally important that we reopen the store as soon as we can, to ensure that households have access to the essential food and products they need.’
Shoppers who contacted Teesside Live said that they’d been told the supermarket would reopen on Monday.