Several Utah Meatpacking Facilities Temporarily Closing Due To COVID-19
Jun 17, 2020, 12:49 PM | Updated: 3:34 pm
(Sean Gallup / Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food on Wednesday announced several meatpacking facilities along the Wasatch Front are closing temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The closures are voluntary, according to a statement from the UDAF.
“Meat processing plants in the State of Utah have not been immune to the logistical and modern health challenges of the COVID-19 virus,” according to the statement. “As an essential part of the food chain, they have continued to operate, while practicing increased health and safety measures, and while working hand in hand with their local health department. They have, throughout the crisis, abided by all local, state and federal health regulations.”
Three facilities have been hit recently with an influx of cases, the state said. The voluntary closures will allow their workforces to recover.
“Because of early detection and preventative measures, they are on their way to recovering and should be returning to full operational capacity within the next 10 days,” the UDAF said. “Each of the local facilities has taken special care to ensure that their employees, and the product, are protected.”
The state noted that there are multiple processors that are contributing to the local food chain, and consumers should know there is “plenty of safe and healthy meat available.”