WATERLOO, Iowa - Tyson Foods is closing its Waterloo pork processing plant indefinitely after a COVID-19/coronavirus outbreak.
Tyson says the plant has been running at a reduced level because of absenteeism.
The company also announced that the plant's 28-hundred workers will be invited back later this week for COVID-19 testing
While the Waterloo plant remains Tyson's largest pork processing plant, officials say other Tyson Foods plants will continue to operate at reduced levels of production.
Tyson had been under pressure to close the Waterloo facility for close to a week after workers complained of dangerous conditions. The company admitted to a number of positive tests, but wouldn't reveal how many.
Nineteen elected leaders in Blackhawk County sent a letter to Tyson last Friday, urging the company to shut down the Waterloo plant. The advocacy group LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) also complained after Tyson initially refused to close the facility.
“Protecting our team members is our top priority and the reason we’ve implemented numerous safety measures during this challenging and unprecedented time,” said Steve Stouffer, group president of Tyson Fresh Meats. “Despite our continued efforts to keep our people safe while fulfilling our critical role of feeding American families, the combination of worker absenteeism, COVID-19 cases and community concerns has resulted in our decision to stop production."
Tyson says the reopening of the Waterloo plant will depend on several factors, including the outcome of workers testing for COVID-19.