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The company said it will pay employees for the next two weeks and will reopen once given the okay from local, state and federal officials.
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases are now ubiquitous across our country. The virus is afflicting communities everywhere. The agriculture and food sectors have not been immune,” said Sullivan. “Numerous plants across the country have COVID-19 positive employees. We have continued to run our facilities for one reason: to sustain our nation’s food supply during this pandemic.”
He continued: “We believe it is our obligation to help feed the country, now more than ever. We have a stark choice as a nation: we are either going to produce food or not, even in the face of COVID-19.”
Other meat suppliers have halted production at several locations across the country. Tyson Foods Inc. announced earlier this month that it would suspend production at a Columbus Junction, Iowa, pork plant after employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
“We’re working hard to protect our team members during this ever-changing situation, while also ensuring we continue fulfilling our critical role of helping feed people across the country,” Tyson CEO Noel White said in a statement last week.
White added: “While these are challenging times, we remain committed to protecting our people while continuing to meet the needs of our customers and consumers across America.”
As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. To help provide doctors and nurses on the front lines with life-saving medical resources, donate to Direct Relief here.
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