It comes after the spike in covid-19 cases in the area.
Carroll Cuisine is suspending operations at its meat processing plant in Offaly.
It says the break will be taken over the days ahead while the results of covid-19 tests carried out on staff yesterday are being evaluated.
Tests completed last week show that 9 of the 330 employees in Tullamore have tested positive for coronavirus.
The company insists employees will continue to be paid as normal while operations are suspended.
Full statement from Carroll Cuisine:
Carroll Cuisine will suspend operations to support measures by the public health services to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the community.
Kieran Carolan, Chief Executive of Carroll Cuisine said, “The health, safety and wellbeing of all our people and our wider communities is an absolute priority for us at all times.”
“We have been working closely and co-operatively with the HSE and, while positive case levels among our staff are low, we believe that the best approach is to take this break in operations over the days ahead until we can evaluate the results of comprehensive tests which were undertaken for our staff on a precautionary basis yesterday in co-operation with the HSE.
“Through the independent testing that we also conducted and completed last week, a total of 9 employees from our workforce of 330 (2.43%) to date have had positive tests for COVID-19 and are self-isolating.
“We note that a number of Government and health service sources have said factories should close wherever there are any cases of Covid. However, it’s essential that while closures may be envisaged, the industry will need to continue in operation to supply food and facilities will need to reopen once any particular situation is contained and brought under control. Clear guidance is required on the measures, procedures and roadmap envisaged by the Government in this regard.
“We welcome proposals by the Minister for Agriculture for a 14 day recurring testing programme for the meat sector and we will participate fully in any such initiatives. This will help to monitor, suppress and prevent the virus, keep people safe and protect employment when we reopen in due course following the current precautionary measures.
“Our employees will continue to be paid as normal. We are very grateful to our staff for their excellent dedication and commitment and for the support and encouragement of our communities however we believe this temporary suspension of operations is the best course of action at this time.”
Further information:
Since the first outbreak of Covid-19 in Ireland we implemented stringent hygiene, health and safety measures to protect our employees and to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Together with all of our colleagues, we successfully managed to keep the virus out of our business over several months.
The very first case we recorded among our workforce arose where a colleague consulted their GP and subsequently tested positive on 31st July. Acting responsibly and proactively, they had told us about their symptoms immediately when they first noticed them and had self-isolated. In line with our advance contingency planning, we immediately tested all staff, using an independent laboratory service.
As noted above, through the testing we conducted and completed last week, a total of 9 employees from our workforce of 330 (2.43%) to date have had positive tests for COVID-19 and are self-isolating.
We are doubling and redoubling our efforts to stop any spread of the virus.
BnM Opens New Funding Round For Offaly Community Benefit Fund
Orange Wind Alerts Issued As Storm Bram Approaches
Irish Hauliers Threaten Protests Over Toll Discount Dispute
Former Irish Soccer Legend Backs Offaly Community After Arson Attack
Tributes Paid To Former Fine Gael Midlands Politician
Midlands 103 Launches Joint Christmas Appeal With Simon Community
Offaly Arson Attack Is An Attack On Society Itself - Taoiseach
Woman Facing Life In Prison After Double Midlands Murder
Housing Committee Chair Flags Cost Concerns Over Apartment Fire Safety Scheme
Justice Minister Wants People To Come Forward Over Offaly Arson Attack
New Report Warns Of “Poor Liquidity” As Ireland’s Housing Market Stalls
Laois TD Renews Calls For Updated Wind Farm Guidelines
Midlands Man Laid To Rest Today
Anti-Racism Funding Granted For Offaly And Westmeath Groups
Gardaí Begin Murder Investigation After Child And Woman Dies In Offaly House Fire
Ashling Murphy Murder "Wrongly Accused" Granted Bail Over Theft Charge
Young Boy And Woman Killed In Offaly House Fire
Laois Makeup Artist Warns Of Expired Suncream Dangers
Lynx and Wolves In Ireland Pose Minimal Threat - Offaly Biodiversity
€4.5m Going To Midlands Suckler Farmers