THE KOBER food factory in Cleckheaton which was closed last week after several employees tested positive for coronavirus is to re-open tomorrow.

The company which supplies Asda did not confirm the exact number of cases but said the plant would be closed for a week as a precaution.

The factory was closed on Monday but the news was not released until Thursday when the health secretary revealed it at the daily Downing Street briefing.

Asda has now announced that it will be re-opening on Tuesday with the support of Kirklees Council and Public Health England.

A spokesperson for the supermarket chain said: “We have worked collaboratively with Kirklees Council and Public Health England since the site closed over a week ago and they support our decision to reopen tomorrow (23rd June).

"The site will re-open on a reduced capacity and only colleagues that have been tested and declared fit to return will be on site. Those colleagues who are self-isolating will continue to receive full pay until they return to work.

“Whilst Kirklees Council were satisfied with our existing safety procedures, we have introduced some additional measures as a precaution.

"These include separation of colleagues on different shifts and checking the temperature of colleagues before they enter the site.”