BUILDINGS have reopened and restrictions lifted at the BAE Systems site in Barrow following confirmation of two cases of coronavirus.

The Foundation House and D61 facilities had both been closed for around 24 hours for a deep clean after it was revealed a BAE Systems employee and a contractor had both been diagnosed with Covid-19 and, in line with government advice, were self-isolating for a two-week period.

BAE Systems also confirmed that access restrictions on all but workers performing safety critical roles at Astute Boat 4 and Wet Dock Quay have now been lifted.

BAE Systems has been keen to stress that it is business as usual – for now – at the site where 9,500 employees and contractors work.

And BAE has emphasised that the health and safety of its workforce remains its top priority, with communications being ramped up to keep workers up to date with the latest company and government guidelines.

But they emphasised that employees and contractors exhibiting symptoms such as a constant cough and high temperature should “under no circumstances” enter the site and should contact their line manager immediately.

Workers who are living with someone showing symptoms have also been asked to stay away.

BAE Systems, along with employers across Cumbria and the UK, are regularly meeting to discuss the fast-moving situation and the Government’s evolving guidelines.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson held the first of his daily briefings to outline measures to restrict the spread of coronavirus on Monday.

Mr Johnson has called for a halt to all non-essential contact and travel and urged people to work from home if they can.

Cumbria’s largest employer Sellafield Limited is already trialling home working as part of its response to managing the outbreak.

The company - which employs hundreds of people from the south of the county - has reported one confirmed case and one suspected case of Covid-19.

Both employees are self-isolating.