Covid: Nissan furloughs hundreds of Sunderland staff
PA MediaNissan has furloughed hundreds of workers at its Sunderland plant after a number of Covid cases caused a staffing shortage.
Most late-shift production has been halted because staff have had to self-isolate.
About 50 positive cases have been identified across different parts of the factory, which employs about 7,000 workers.
A spokesman said staff wellbeing was its "number one priority".
"Production in certain areas of the plant has been adjusted as we manage a number of staff being required to self-isolate following close contact with Covid-19," he said.
"We remain confident in the rigorous safety controls we have on site."
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Because those affected do not work in one area, hundreds more colleagues working near them have had to self-isolate.
Nissan has transferred some staff originally on late-shifts to day-time work to ensure it has enough personnel.
Co-workers of those off sick or self-isolating have been furloughed if their section has not enough staff to function.
Production at the plant was suspended at the beginning of the pandemic because of a drop in demand and problems getting parts from China.
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