After voluntarily shutting down on April 21, National Frozen Foods corporation in Albany, Oregon will remain closed while representatives work with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) officials. All 270 workers will continue to stay at home until the inspection of the plant is completed, according to local media outlets.
The decision to suspend activity was taken after eight employees turned out positive for COVID-19.
“I think our workers are nervous and tense and, you know, it’s a really interesting catch 22, so while everybody else is protecting their families and loved ones so they don’t contract the disease, workers have to go out every day and go to work,” Teamsters Local Union no. 670 Treasurer, Michael Beranbaum said. “Eight cases out of 270, it’s a terrible number and hopefully the end of it. As of late, they’re doing what we wanted which was a thorough deep clean.”
So far, no schedule was set for the reopening of the facility.