SIA “Forevers” is the largest local producer of meat products in Latvia, whose turnover in 2018 reached 37.53 million euros. 98% of products are sold in Latvia, 2% – exported. The company produces more than 100 different meat products and articles.
Last week, Covid-19 was found among three employees who worked at the Forevers Ltd. plant on Granīta Street. On Monday, testing of about 270 employees of the company, the disease was found in another 16 employees. No new cases were detected yesterday, although testing is ongoing. So far, Covid-19 has affected 19 employees of the company, which is less than 4 percent of the company’s employees. As Inga Galkina, a representative of SIA “Forevers”, explained to the Independent, 90% of these employees have asymptomatic Covid-19.
“All employees who were at the company’s plant on Granita Street and could theoretically be in contact with Covid-19 infected colleagues were tested on Monday. At present, the tests are still ongoing and are being continued for those employees who were not in direct contact with the infected employees. In order to return to work after quarantine, it is stipulated that employees will be required to bring a doctor’s certificate with a negative Covid-19 result. Meanwhile, Forevers has offered employees over the age of 60 to take paid company leave. Whether to do it is an individual decision of each employee, ”explained I. Galkina.
Covid-19 undeveloped roads
Unfortunately, epidemiologists have not yet paved the way for Covid-19 to reach the plant. Ilze Arāja, Head of the Communication Department of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), revealed to the Independent that epidemiologists are working on several versions of the work. “Currently, one leading version has not been identified. The epidemiological investigation is continuing, “said I. Arāja.
At the same time, the SPKC asks passengers who have been on bus 50 in previous weeks to monitor their health. If you experience symptoms of a respiratory infection, it is recommended that you stay at home, contact your GP to assess your condition and decide if you need to take a test for Covid-19. “Rīgas satiksme” Bus route 50 leads along the Forevers plant on Granita Street, and some of the plant’s workers go to and from work directly by bus on this route.
The company works at part capacity
The Forevers plant on Granīta Street is one of the largest and most modern meat processing plants in Latvia. The total area of the factory premises is 8250 m2, and comply with the highest production standards set by the European Union. More than 60 tons of meat products are produced and packed every day.
The company informs that it continues to strengthen the health and safety measures already implemented, as required by the guidelines of the SPCC and the Ministry of Health. The company performs disinfection and ozonation according to a certain schedule. Gloves and face masks as well as disinfectants are available for employees. Body temperature is measured for all employees, while another autonomous device for measuring body temperature was placed yesterday at the factory building, intensifying the control.
“The company’s plant continues to operate, although there are temporary restrictions. Some products of the assortment are produced in smaller volumes than before. To compensate for this, production is being redesigned to increase volumes in other segments. Current estimates suggest that in a customized mode, the work could take approximately 10-14 days. Products are delivered as before, in accordance with the highest HACCP standards. We would also like to remind you that food products are safe for health, and through them the transfer of Covid-19 is not possible, ”stressed I. Galkina.
Is the product safe?
The Food and Veterinary Office (FVS) also emphasizes that, given the specific nature of the company’s operations and the fact that Covid-19 is not distributed through food, there are no grounds for concern about food safety or risks to consumer health. Forevers products can be consumed without any worries, so there is no need to take special safety measures. At the same time, SPKC reminds that when returning from public places, wash your hands, as well as before and after cooking. “If in doubt, however, you can wash the purchase packaging,” said Ilze Arāja.
With the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Benu Pharmacy specialists have found that Covid-19 spreads not only through direct contact with an infected person, but also through indirect contact with surfaces and objects contaminated with airway secretions. According to the data available to “Benu aptieka”, this virus can persist on paper for a few minutes to several days, on plastic surfaces – for 2 to 3 days.
Therefore, proper hand washing and disinfection of the most frequently used surfaces and objects are critical precautions to protect yourself and others from the risks of the disease, as well as to limit the further spread of the disease, explained the specialists of “Benu aptieka”.
