US President Donald Trump signed an executive order under the Defense Production Act (DPA) forcing meat processing plants to remain open, despite numerous cases of shutdown generated by COVID-19 cases. The decision was taken after several companies considered reducing the number of operational facilities. If this were the case, up to 80% of the US processing capacity could have been affected, CNN reports.
By signing the order, President Donald Trump declared these plants part of critical infrastructure in the US. His administration is also working with the Department of Labor on issuing guidance about which employees who work at these meat processing facilities should remain home.
As more and more Americans are under stay-at-home orders, the demand for meat has increased significantly. Meat, beef, and pork production reached record highs in March, according to the US Agriculture Department. As some processing facilities had to close due to confirmed COVID-19 cases among workers, the meat supply chain has been under pressure.