Foster Farms plant reopens after COVID-19 outbreak
After receiving approval from the Merced Department of Public Health, Faster Farms has reopened its poultry processing plant in Livingston, California.
8 September 2020
3 minute read
By: A statement issued by Foster Farms outlines the reopening of its Livingston Poultry Complex, which was closed between 1 September and 7 September after an outbreak of the novel coronavirus among plant workers.
The company stressed that its highest priority was employee health and welfare.
Through Labour Day (7 September), Foster Farms has conducted more than 4,800 COVID-19 tests of the Livingston Complex workforce. Results of the recent testing indicate a COVID-19 prevalence of less than 1 percent positive.
The few employees that did test positive have been advised to self-isolate and will receive all appropriate medical leave benefits.
The statement went on to thank the various government agencies (USDA, HHS and the California Department of Food and Agriculture) which allowed Foster Farms to rapidly test its workforce, saying that the company’s response is a model for the rest of the poultry industry.
Over the coming weeks, Foster Farms will be conducting regular testing throughout the Livingston complex, aimed at monitoring and resolving COVID-19 prevalence to reduce the risk to our employees.
