August 13, 2020

Brazil labour judge orders JBS to test its Garibaldi plant workers for COVID-19

A Brazi labour judge set a 10-day deadline for JBS SA to test all its workers at a chicken plant in Garibaldi, Rio Grande do Sul state for COVID-19, with costs covered by JBS, Reuters reported.

Prosecutors who sought the order said there are 900 workers at the facility, with 230 workers already tested positive for COVID-19.

JBS told Reuters that the health of its workers are a priority.

The company did not comment specifically on the court order, but said it defended its current measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. JBS also said it has followed federal rules passed in June to continue plant operations.

JBS has reported COVID-19 outbreaks at its plants in Brazil and the United States, with some plants ordered to temporary close.

Prosecutors said seven JBS workers at the Garibaldi plant are in the hospital, with one dead.

The court order mandated JBS to enforce a two meter distance between workers at all areas of the plant. This includes the plant's entrances and exits, between shift changes, in workers' changing rooms and the plant's restaurant. New PFF2 respirators must be supplied and its used supervised for all workers every day.

-      Reuters