Halifax call centre in Belfast closed after worker tests positive for Coronavirus
Call centre with 1,000 workers closed in Belfast after positive COVID-19 diagnoses
Last updated 10th Mar 2020
A call centre in Belfast city centre has closed after an employee tested positive for Coronavirus.
The Halifax building in the Gasworks area is set to undergo a deep clean.
Around 1,000 people are based at the banks call centre.
Employees have been advised to self-isolate, work from home or from a contingency site.
Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax, said:
"The Belfast Gasworks building has been temporarily closed to allow for the appropriate areas of the site to be cleaned, after a colleague based there was diagnosed with Covid-19.
"Our priority is the wellbeing of the individual, as well as the colleagues and visitors to the building.
“We're closely monitoring the developing situation and continue to follow official guidelines.''
It follows the announcement that two schools in Co Armagh have already closed for a deep cleaning after a young person tested positive for COVID-19.
Newtownhamilton High School and primary school share the same site in the city and are expected to reopen next week.
Several sports clubs have also had to take precautionary steps after individual members tested positively.
In total 12 cases have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland so far.
The St Patrick's Day festivities in Belfast are among events which have been axed amid efforts to contain spread of the virus.
On Monday, Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann warned that between 50% and 80% of the population could ultimately contract the Coronavirus in a worst-case scenario
Go to NHSUK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to check if you need medical help.