Isle of Man Creameries is restricting staff travel and asking people not to visit in person as part of its coronavirus prevention plan.

Non-essential journeys have been banned and the firm is asking people who visit to pay bills to contact it online or by phone instead.

With the additional risk of coronavirus, the company has increased sanitising of office spaces and reiterated the importance of good hygiene practices.

All staff have been issued with anti-viral hand gel and told about the correct hand washing procedure to mitigate any risk.

It is also reassuring its customers in the wake of the outbreak.

It says there is no risk of contracting the virus through food products.

An extract from the World Health Organisation Covid-19 Situation report 32, dated February 21 reads:

’Experiences from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) show that transmission through food consumption did not occur.’

The creamery says its products remain safe to consume for the duration of the outbreak.

It says its policy is to:

â?¢ Adhere to official guidance issued by the Isle of Man Government regarding the prevention of the spread of Coronavirus Covid-19, including self-isolation if returning from affected areas or displaying symptoms of Covid-19

â?¢ Ensure this guidance is communicated throughout the company and available for employees to view

â?¢ Keep up to date with the situation as it develops and update the guidance for employees as appropriate

â?¢ Advise staff to take appropriate hygiene precautions

A spokesman said: ’We will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain vigilant. At present all of our services will remain as is and we will update our customers on a regular basis.’

People who normally visit the creamery to pay bill can ring 632000 or using online payment system www.isleofmancreamery.com/online-pay