Staff at KFC Stevenston who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being asked to return to work, claim relatives.

A family member of a staff member who does not want to be named said: “There has been an outbreak at the restaurant since last week. Eleven members of staff have tested positive and told to self isolate, and environmental health have been involved, however allegedly there has been no deep clean.

“Staff have also been told to come back to work in the middle of their self isolation period, on two occasions, after four days off.

“The manager has pleaded with them to come in saying that they’ll take the blame for it as they are short staffed.

“There was also a delivery driver, who is in a relationship with a staff member currently tested positive with COVID. They are still working and are in and out the restaurant picking up take-away orders when they should be isolating with the household.”

Contact tracing is now underway at the fast-food outlet after an unspecified number of COVID cases were confirmed, reports NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

The health board is currently attempting to identify employees who may have come in contact with the infection.

A spokesperson said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Test & Protect team can confirm that a contact tracing exercise has been carried out within a workplace in the North Ayrshire council area, following confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.”

A spokesperson for KFC responded on June 28 and said: "Unfortunately, three team members at our KFC Kilwinning, Ashenyards Park branch tested positive for Coronavirus last weekend, and it goes without saying we’re wishing them a full and speedy recovery. They are currently self-isolating at home, along with eight other team members as a precaution. We would never, and have never, asked team members who are self-isolating to come into work. In fact, in order to ensure the safety of our teams and fans, we reduced our trading channels and hours for a period of time.

"Rest assured, we have strict safety measures in place including kitchen zoning, Perspex screens, PPE, and hand-washing and we’re continuing to work closely with Environmental Health Officers and following all necessary steps to maintain a safe, clean environment for both our teams and fans.”