Tyson Foods lifts mask mandate for some workers, but not at meat plants

A Tyson Meals worker places on a second protecting masks outdoors of the corporate’s meat processing plant, which has been hit by a coronavirus illness (COVID-19) outbreak, in Waterloo, Iowa, U.S. April 22, 2020. Image taken April 22, 2020. Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY NETWORK through REUTERS/File Photograph

CHICAGO, Feb 15 (Reuters) – Tyson Meals Inc (TSN.N)lifted a masks mandate for absolutely vaccinated workers at some U.S. amenities on Tuesday, however these at meatpacking vegetation should proceed sporting masks for now.

The meat processor joins main employers like Amazon.com and Walmart (WMT.N) in enjoyable masks necessities. learn extra

Tyson mentioned its coverage applies to workers at amenities not inspected by the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s (USDA) Meals Security and Inspection Service (FSIS). The company inspects meatpacking vegetation, a scorching spot for COVID-19 outbreaks early within the pandemic.

Staff at company workplaces, distribution facilities, feed mills and a few manufacturing amenities inspected by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration can go maskless if state and native legal guidelines permit it, Tyson spokesman Derek Burleson mentioned.

The corporate will work with the USDA to doubtlessly prolong the coverage to staff in meatpacking vegetation who aren’t involved with authorities inspectors, Burleson mentioned. He added that the coverage doesn’t but influence most Tyson workers.

“We’re undoubtedly working with USDA on what this may appear to be at every of our FSIS-inspected amenities,” Burleson mentioned. “We’re working to attempt to develop this to extra amenities.”

The USDA requires plant staff to put on masks when federal inspectors are current at amenities in geographic areas with “substantial” or “excessive” group COVID-19 transmission. An company spokesman had no fast touch upon Tyson.

Tyson mentioned it’s easing masks mandates due to decrease an infection charges and “extraordinarily low charges of significant sickness” amongst workers. The corporate final yr required staff to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 hit the U.S. meatpacking business exhausting firstly of the pandemic, when 1000’s of employee infections briefly shut slaughterhouses. In January, rising circumstances of the Omicron coronavirus variant once more compelled vegetation to sluggish manufacturing. learn extra

Tyson mentioned it would proceed to supply masks for workers who selected to put on them and watch for brand spanking new coronavirus variants. The corporate has mentioned it spent $810 million on preventive COVID-19 measures. learn extra

Reporting by Tom Polansek
Enhancing by Nick Zieminski and Marguerita Choy

: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.