Canadian pork and meat processing firm Olymel has decided to temporarily close its hog slaughter and cutting plant in Yamachiche for two weeks due to an increased number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases among employees.

The decision was announced in collaboration with the Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS MCQ) public health department.

Olymel noted that the move to shut down its slaughter facility has been taken to protect the workers and limit community transmission.

Olymel president and CEO Réjean Nadeau said: “On behalf of Olymel management, I would like to express our gratitude to all the employees of the Yamachiche plant for their efforts since the beginning of this health crisis.

“In collaboration with human resources, I would ask all of our other employees working in plants that are still in operation to exercise constant vigilance to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

“Our company and its employees will, therefore, be able to contribute to the continued operations of the agro-processing industry, which governments consider to be an essential activity for supplying distribution networks with the products needed to feed a population that is mostly in lockdown.”

The decision to close the facility is expected to impact 1,000 employees working at the plant.

However, the company has announced that it will be providing its employees with all the help and information they need in order to benefit from the government’s current financial assistance programmes.

Olymel added that the closure would impact the supply chain but it will ensure that that closure will not impact the distribution of products to local markets.

The company noted that it will be working in collaboration with public health, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec, to resume operations at the facility with stronger measures to ensure an even safer workplace.

The public health department has advised all employees who worked at the plant since 12 March 2020 to self-isolate as a precaution and monitor themselves for symptoms while ensuring social distancing.