By Troy Gillard

Precautionary measure

Olymel offers COVID-19 testing to all Red Deer employees

Nov 19, 2020 | 3:08 PM

Olymel has announced that all 1,850 employees at its pork processing facility in Red Deer were being offered COVID-19 testing “in response to the community resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Alberta.”

Company officials say the facility currently has 10 confirmed active cases of COVID-19, and that testing is being done in collaboration with Alberta Health Services and UFCW Local 401.

“This testing campaign aims to protect the health of the plant’s employees and to identify people who do not show symptoms but could be carriers of the virus,” Olymel spokesperson Richard Vigneault said in a release.

Olymel says it is working closely with AHS, Occupational Health & Safety officials, and representatives of UFCW Local 401 to organize this screening, and that all partners present in the plant, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, are also participating in this preventive effort to reduce and control the spread of the coronavirus.

“Olymel invites all employees at its Red Deer plant to remain vigilant during this period of community circulation of the coronavirus,” Vigneault added.

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“The company asks its employees to carefully and consistently follow the sanitary measures that have been in effect at the Red Deer plant since the start of the pandemic, including declaring any symptoms, disinfecting their hands, wearing masks and face shields, respecting social distancing and observing all sanitary measures recommended when carpooling.”

(This story has been updated)