ALLOA’S glassworks will remain open despite one of its employees testing positive for coronavirus.

Staff were told that one of the workers at the site contracted the virus and had experienced symptoms several days after their last shift.

O-I, the company that runs the site, also told its workforce that it “cannot say for sure where the employee contracted Covid-19”.

However, the factory on Glasshouse Loan will remain open as bosses argue “there is no medical reason to shut down an operation on the basis of a positive case”.

The Advertiser was provided with the response from O-I after several staff members raised their concerns with this newspaper.

It comes just days after O-I claimed the site – which primarily produces bottles for the alcoholic drinks industry – would remain open during the government lockdown because it is an “essential business”.

That claim was issued by O-I on March 30, with the Scottish Government issuing updated guidance for businesses several days later on April 4.

Officials outlined there are 13 sectors – referred to as critical national infrastructure – which provide “essential services” and can continue operating.

The production of alcohol (and associated work such as that carried out by O-I at its Alloa factory) was not one of those 13 sectors.

However, the work carried out by O-I is also not included in the Scottish Government’s list of businesses and premises which “must close”.

Therefore the Advertiser understands the following guidance from the Scottish Government applies to O-I’s Alloa plant: “We would advise that all business premises, sites and attractions not required by law to close should close now unless… essential to the health and welfare of the country during this crisis.”

The Advertiser asked O-I why the Alloa factory was remaining open in its request for a comment, but this was not addressed in its response.

A spokesperson for the company said: “There is no medical reason to shut down an operation on the basis of a positive case.

“We have very clear guidelines at O-I on what to do in such a situation, including regularly disinfecting the workplace.

“We are following the recommendations for protective measures laid out by the World Health Organization, the European Center for Disease Prevention, national health organizations, as well as the directives of the UK and Scottish governments.

“These recommendations and directives have been sensibly and successfully implemented. We are following both government and company protocols.

“In addition, we have adapted our work processes to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

“In Alloa, we have furloughed a number of employees and temporarily halted some production which reduces the number of people in the plant.”

The Advertiser had contacted O-I for clarity on how it meets the Scottish Government's business guidance, and a spokesperson said: “As a business, we are guided by the legal framework in any country we operate in.

"As we said, we are following all legal requirements here in the UK.”