Tyson Fresh Meats Plans to Reopen Logansport Pork Plant

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., announced plans to resume limited production at its Logansport, Ind., facility the week of May 4, following a plant tour with local health and government officials, a union representative, and medical professionals.

The Logansport plant temporarily halted operations on April 25 to test its team members for COVID-19, Tyson said in a statement on Friday.

Team members were asked to self-isolate until their results returned, Tyson said. The company is continuing to work with local health officials to verify test results.

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., announced plans to resume limited production at its Logansport, Ind., facility the week of May 4, following a plant tour with local health and government officials, a union representative, and medical professionals.

The Logansport plant temporarily halted operations on April 25 to test its team members for COVID-19, Tyson said in a statement on Friday.

Team members were asked to self-isolate until their results returned, Tyson said. The company is continuing to work with local health officials to verify test results.

“We’re also now screening employees for additional symptoms and designating monitors to help enforce social distancing, while following the CDC and OSHA’s guidance for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers,” Tyson said.

The Logansport facility is the first of several Tyson plants to receive a mobile health clinic, operated by Matrix Medical Network, to provide community-based services ranging from diagnostic (PCR) testing for COVID-19, assist with the environmental design of the facility to mitigate the risk of the virus spread, as well as conduct daily on-site clinical screening.

The company has also doubled its bonus for employees. In addition, Tyson Foods is also increasing short-term disability coverage to 90% of normal pay until June 30, 2020, for team members who are unable to work due to illness.

“Tyson Fresh Meats has worked well with local community leaders to make sure its re-opening plan is safe,” said Dori Ditty, health officer of Cass County Health Department. “We toured the plant and feel the additional measures implemented will allow employees to work safely, while continuing to follow CDC guidelines and recommendations. We’ll continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety of employees.”

Tyson Fresh Meats’ recently announced its plans to temporarily halt operations at its Dakota City, Nebraska, beef plant for additional deep cleaning and sanitation. The group also voluntarily idled its locations in Waterloo and Perry, Iowa, and Pasco, Washington, while team members undergo testing and plants complete deep cleaning of the facilities, the statement said.