At the end of August, the Merced County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) orders the Livingston plant to shut down for a week due to the high number of COVID-19 cases (close to 400 reported) and because Foster Farms hadn’t complied with recommendations and orders for regular testing and other protective measures. Cal/OSHA and MCDPH make a site visit. The United Farm Workers (UFW) union writes to the Governor urging action.
Jakara staff describe that Foster Farms only shuts down for a 3-day weekend. Then they shut down one building and shift workers to another.
“After (the shutdown, they) started some procedures like hand sanitizers and putting up posters with information, more cleaning and testing and staggered lunches. But we were still crowded in outside tents. For testing, workers had to swab themselves. Some were afraid (to get a positive result) and did it lightly. Workers weren’t given results.”
– Livingston plant worker
