SOUTH AFRICA - COCA-COLA MANUFACTURING PLANT FORCED TO SHUT DOWN AFTER EMPLOYEE TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

Beverage giant Coca-Cola has been forced to shut down one of its biggest manufacturing plants in Gauteng after an employee tested positive for Covid-19. 

This while two Netcare hospitals, one in Joburg and another in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), are temporarily shutting their doors to new patients.

According to an internal memo sent to employees at the Coca-Cola’s Devland manufacturing plant on Monday, a worker with the respiratory disease was on the site on Sunday.

“We have already initiated a tracing process to identify all employees who may have been in contact with the positive colleague, these employees will undergo testing,” said managing director Velaphi Ratshefola.

“We have increased rigid health and safety protocols as well as awareness to ensure the well-being of all within our operations. Upon entering our sites, all employees and visitors have their temperature taken and undergo a short questionnaire. Individuals displaying flu-like symptoms or with a temperature over 37.5C are not allowed entry to our sites,” Ratshefola added.

The plant has 222 employees. Coca Cola currently has 14 plants operating nationally.

via - IOL