CORONAVIRUS: Almac worker tests positive for deadly virus

It is the latest case to hit the Craigavon area but Almac says it remains open for business.

A company spokesperson said a deep clean has been carried out in the affected area after consulting with the Public Health Agency.

The pharmaceutical firm, set up more than 50 years ago in Craigavon by Sir Alan McClay, has more than 5,000 employees globally and is one of the biggest employers in the Co Armagh area.

A company spokesperson said: “The wellbeing of its employees is Almac’s number one priority and their thoughts are with this individual at this time.

“The Craigavon campus remains open, as does its facilities globally.”

Meanwhile the Omniplex in Craigavon has also put into place safeguards into place to protect staff and customers as the Coronavirus situation deepens.

The popular venue, which opened five years ago, attracts hundreds of customers each week.

Paul Anderson, director of Omniplex, said the move was pro-active and in line with World Health Organisation guidance.

He said it means that every other seat on the online booking form will blocked out.

“It’s called ‘social distancing’,” said Paul. “It is aimed at keeping people one metre apart.”

However he explained that while the seat blocking will appear online, it will not stop families or couples sitting beside each other, providing they leave a seat distance between them and people they don’t know.

“We were trying to be pro-active and to make the cinema a safe environment,” he said.

He admitted that reducing the cinema’s overall capacity by 50% will be ‘an ordeal’ but he said they wanted to assure customers that it was a ‘safe environment.

Mr Anderson said other measures include self-scanning of tickets, increased cleaning regimes and hand-sanitising stations in every cinema foyer.

He said: “There will be hand sanitisers for our customers and staff to use as well.

“Plus we will have an accelerated cycle of cleaning with lift buttons and door handles etc, cleaned regularly.

“People are coming into our cinemas to feel safe,” he added.

Mr Anderson said the new seat blocking and cleansing cycles will be in operation for the foreseeable future.

He urged anyone with concerns to get in touch with the cinema.