Domino’s pizza delivery driver, 49, dies from coronavirus but takeaway restaurant remains open
- Mofizul Islam, 49, worked at the takeaway restaurant in Eskbank, Midlothian
- The branch remains open but Domino’s have reportedly carried out a deep clean
- The number of coronavirus deaths in the UK currently stands at 7,978
A Domino’s pizza delivery driver from Scotland has died from coronavirus.
Mofizul Islam, 49, worked at the takeaway restaurant in Eskbank, Midlothian which is still open.
A source told The Sun that the restaurant is too small for social distancing rules to be observed, saying: ‘One of the drivers has died but they have remained open as usual.
‘There is a chance that he could have passed the virus to every person he delivered to.’
Mofizul Islam, 49, worked at the takeaway restaurant in Eskbank, Midlothian (pictured)
Staff were told of Mr Islam’s death on Monday. He’d stopped working after the government announced the lockdown and died last week.
Domino’s reportedly said they still hadn’t been notified about a possible Covid-19 case, but have done a thorough deep clean to reassure everyone.
Restaurants have closed during the coronavirus lockdown with food deliveries as an exception, and takeaways being allowed to remain open.
Government guidance says people can still access their local takeaway, this includes delivery drivers. But people are not allowed to consume any food or drinks on the premises.
Domino’s has remained open, introducing a contactless delivery option for customers at checkout.
Last month, Domino’s tweeted: ‘Domino’s is still OPEN to serve you.
‘Whether you prefer delivery or carry out from the store, we still offer easy ways to get you delicious pizza, including our new contactless delivery option to minimise contact between you and your delivery experts.’
In a separate post, the chain tweeted a photo explaining safety measures being taken its staff.
Domino’s wrote they are ‘increasing’ their sanitisation of food prep areas, door handles and hot bags.
They also said team members wash their hands ‘after touching any surface’ and delivery drivers wash their hands ‘before and after every delivery run’, with pizza removed from the oven using a ‘pizza peel’ and then placed directly into a box.
The UK recorded 881 more coronavirus deaths yesterday, taking Britain’s total to 7,978 as its coronavirus crisis rumbles on and 4,344 more positive tests pushed the number of patients, past and present, to 65,077.
The tally is considerably smaller than the devastating 938 announced on Wednesday but still represents the second biggest surge since the epidemic began almost six weeks ago. Britain has so far managed to avoid the dark milestone of announcing 1,000 deaths in a single day, something that has only happened in the US.
NHS England announced 765 more fatalities in its hospitals among patients aged between 24 and 103, taking England’s total to 7,248, and 116 deaths were announced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Experts say it is still too soon to see the impact of the UK’s lockdown in daily statistics but, speaking in yesterday’s Government briefing, chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said ‘the NHS can cope’ with the current situation. Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical adviser, added ‘there is still room’ in intensive care units.