Tyson Foods Hosts Plant Facility Tours for Arkansas Department of Health and Marshall Islands Consulate

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) recently gave tours of two of its production plants in Northwest Arkansas to state and federal health officials. The tours were aimed at demonstrating the safety precautions and social distancing measures that Tyson has implemented in its facilities to combat the spread of COVID-19. The tours, led by plant managers, took place at the company's Berry Street plant in Springdale, Ark., and Chick-N-Quick plant in Rogers, Ark. Among the attendees were Dr. Richard McMullen, state environmental health director and associate director for science, Center for Local Public Health, Arkansas Department of Health, and Dr. Allison James, epidemic intelligence service officer with the CDC. The officials observed various health and safety measures that Tyson has put in place, including the use of hand sanitizer stations, thermal scanners for temperature checks, and social distancing monitors. The company has also installed dividers between workstations and in breakrooms, and has set up tents for additional breakroom space outside. Tyson requires all its employees to wear surgical masks, providing each worker with a new mask at the start of their shift. The company had begun efforts to secure a sufficient supply of face coverings even before the CDC recommended their use. Dr. Richard McMullen praised Tyson's efforts, stating that the company is an industry leader and that its measures could serve as best practices for others. Eldon J. Alik, consul general for the Marshall Islands Consulate General Office of Arkansas, also expressed his appreciation for Tyson's proactive approach. Tom Brower, senior vice-president, Health and Safety, Tyson Foods, stated that the tour was intended to demonstrate the safety measures Tyson has implemented to protect its workers and to offer best practices to other industry leaders. Tyson Foods has taken numerous steps to protect its workers since forming a coronavirus task force in January. These measures include taking worker temperatures, securing a supply of face coverings, conducting additional deep cleaning and sanitizing, implementing social distancing measures, and relaxing its attendance policy to encourage sick workers to stay at home.