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Stamford paper boy lost morning round after self-isolation




A paper boy who took time off to self-isolate has been told not to come back to his morning round.

Keenan Latimer, 15, has been delivering newspapers in Stamford for about two years but after coronavirus cases at his school forced him to self-isolate on three occasions for a week at a time, he was told not to come back.

As well as having taken 14 days off work because of self-isolation suggested by Bourne Grammar School following Covid-19 cases, Keenan had two days’ illness and a punctured bike tyre, which also put him out of action for two days.

Keenan Latimer, 15, who lost his job after taking time off to self-isolate
Keenan Latimer, 15, who lost his job after taking time off to self-isolate

It was when he was contacted by his school telling him to start isolating for a third time that the owner of Sutherland Way Stores, Neil Barlow, terminated his employment.

Keenan and his dad, John Latimer, believe this action was unfair because the alternative would have been to break the coronavirus self-isolation rules.

“He’s lost his job for following the guidelines and that’s not acceptable,” said John.

Keenan, who was getting up at 5.45am on weekdays, and 6.45am at weekends, earned £19 a week. He had been saving some of the money to spend during a family holiday planned for next year.

He said: “I was told to self-isolate again by my school and when I got that message I rang work and left a voicemail. When they came back to me they said I had missed too much time.

“I’m OK with it, but not OK. I won’t miss getting up early, but I will miss earning money.”

Mr Barlow, who has owned Sutherland Way Stores for 12 years, said Keenan had missed seven shifts out of 10.

“Many times he didn’t turn up, which puts other people under pressure in the business because we don’t want to have disappointed customers. I had to do the round on top of what we already had to do.

“Keenan was warned on several occasions by my manager who looks after the paper rounds, and by my wife.”

Mr Barlow said he had warned Keenan on the Saturday not to take off any more shifts, but was later told Keenan was self-isolating for a third week.

“I didn’t want to tell him not to come back. I’m not a vindictive person, but I must protect my business.”



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