Preventive measures at Alberta meat plants came too late to stop outbreaks, union officials say
Source: The Star
Calgary, April 23 2020 —The rapid spread of COVID-19 at Canada’s meat-packing plants isn’t a surprise, say union and health officials.
Fabian Murphy, president of the Agriculture Union, which represents federal meat inspectors, says recent safety measures put in place are positive. But in a meat processing plant, it’s difficult to keep the virus in check if people are already sick.
“If you’re in a meat plant with 2,000 other staff, you can’t stay six feet away from folks at all times,” Murphy says.
“You’re going to the lunchroom. You’re going to the wash stations to clean up ... You’re going to the locker-room to don on or off your clothing and equipment. And you’re going to the washroom. So it’s impossible to maintain that social distancing.”
The toll of COVID-19 on the meat-packing sector continues to grow. A shutdown of an Olymel plant in Quebec was followed by Harmony Foods near Calgary and a massive Cargill plant near High River, Alta. Cases are continuing to rise at a JBS plant in Brooks, Alta., but that plant remains open.