Nissan production hit by covid as staff at Sunderland plant told to self-isolate

The Japanese car giant has confirmed on Wednesday, June 23, that a number of staff are currently required to self-isolate after being into close contact with a positive Covid-19 case.

It is understood that staff from other areas of the plant, which is based in Washington, are being deployed to ensure that production can continue as smoothly as possible.

Bosses have moved to reassure staff that they remain confident in all of the “rigorous” Covid-19 safety controls that are currently on place at the site.

A Nissan spokesman said: “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.

"The wellbeing of our team is our number one priority and we remain confident in the rigorous safety controls we have on site.”

The adjustment comes just over a week after the car giant began producing the third generation of the Nissan Qashqai at the Sunderland plant, with over three million models created in Sunderland since 2007.

The awarding of production at the Sunderland plants comes with a £400million investment and means that 6,000 jobs have been secured.

Nissan also issued a pledge that every school child within the North East would be offered a place at a Nissan Skills Foundation event – the company’s programme of activities designed to excite youngsters about careers in manufacturing and engineering.

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