COMPANIES employing large numbers of people on the Isle of Wight have explained their reasons for remaining open during the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerned employees and their relatives have been contacting the County Press about the decision of many workplaces to stay open — citing concerns about being in close proximity of other workers, and the work not being 'essential' during the crisis.

The government advice is for people to work from home if they are able, but this week clarified it was important for business to carry on.

However, one MHI Vestas worker told the County Press: "Being a worker myself I feel it is putting myself and my family at risk going into such a factory, but I feel my job would be at risk if I stay at home."

Another said: "Should a large gathering of people at the factory still be working? Lots of people in a confined space. Not only MHI Vestas but other large factories."

A spokesperson for MHI Vestas said: "Firstly, we want to extend our thanks to our employees who are answering the government’s call during this difficult time, for their hard work and understanding.

"Their health and the health of their families are our first priority, and we have implemented a range of measures to protect them at our IW facility, including through physical distancing protocols in our manufacturing processes, increased deep cleaning, and amending our shift patterns.

"We are also trying to do our part in ways other than protecting the 1,000-plus UK jobs we support, which will be needed after the crisis passes.

"For example, the IW facility has today donated £15,000 worth of PPE to the NHS and over the last few days all the excess food from our canteen was donated to local charities, including food banks."

A spokesman for GKN Aerospace said: “These are unprecedented times. Our key priority is to safeguard our people, while continuing to deliver for our customers in line with the latest government guidance for businesses such as ours to ‘carry on’.

"We continue to follow national guidance as a minimum. In the UK this has included a health questionnaire for every employee to enable vulnerable employees to identify themselves and remain away from the workplace, in addition to other measures such as social distancing, increased cleaning cycles and home-working wherever possible.

"We will continue to take all steps necessary to ensure the health and safety of our workforce and protect their long-term employment, wherever possible, throughout this challenging period.”

A Liz Earle Beauty Company spokesperson said: "Current government advice encourages online retailers to stay open at a time when shops selling non-essential items are now shut.

"In doing so, the health and wellbeing of our colleagues is of the greatest importance to us. We have complied with all new government regulations to help protect them.

"Last week we sent home our office-based colleagues who can carry out their jobs remotely.

"Yesterday we scaled back our operations further in Ryde and Cowes to a minimum.

"For the foreseeable future everyone must go home, except a very small number of colleagues who will maintain a vastly reduced service in online fulfilment operations and in warehouses."

A spokesperson for Vikoma said: "All our workers able to work from home are doing so.

"We have bought a number of new computers, webcams and are using Microsoft teams and VPN so that we can effectively keep the design, sales, finance, purchasing and administrative side of the business working from remote locations.

"Our factory workers are unable to work from home, so in line with government advice we have implemented safe working distances, opened up extra kitchen and rest areas to ensure safe distances and segregated some work areas to avoid unnecessary transition between departments. We have also implemented a night shift to separate employees further.

"The health and wellbeing of our employees is the primary concern to us and we must also ensure we keep the business going so we continue to support the Island economy and have jobs for everyone for the future.

"It’s not just Vikoma’s team of 63 jobs we want to protect, but also the many sub-contractors and service companies we use on the Island."

Island MP Bob Seely said: "Companies and individuals have to behave responsibly and work out safe arrangements at work and preferably travel to work.

"Those companies on the 'do not work’ list, such as pubs and hospitality, should not work. Those companies which can still work should do so, mindful of the new situation. We all need to be working together."

Vix Lowthion, Isle of Wight Green Party spokesperson, said: "In recent days I have been sent many reports that some employees do not feel safe when going to work.

"Employees are concerned that they are expected to travel to work and put themselves at risk of contracting coronavirus outside the home, when the job they do is not directly linked to the immediate, short-term emergency medical needs of the nation. "Employees are also concerned that while they are at work, not enough has been put in place to protect them.

"We are at a time of national crisis. This is not 'business as usual'.

"Employers continue to have a responsibility for the health and safety of their workers during this crisis, and they must do everything they can to protect their employees from contracting Covid-19."

The County Press also contacted Neutrik and Trucast for a comment.