Dole Food Co., the US-based giant fruit supplier, has shut a processing facility in Thailand amid hundreds of Covid-19 cases among staff.
The company confirmed to Just Food it has closed the site, located in Hua Hin in the south of the country.
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Dole plans to re-open the facility on 7 July. “This decision is not under instructions form authorities but as a proactive measure by Dole,” the company said.
Cases are presently “under 400”. In a statement, Dole added: “Dole Thailand is working proactively with local government and health officials to address new Covid-19 outbreaks in the region, control the additional spread and hasten vaccinations through our efforts and those of the local government.
“[The] majority of the cases identified are already under quarantine, and we are following strict protocol and safety measures in our Hua Hin processing unit.
“We know that it is essential to the local economy, farmers in the fields and the livelihoods of our people to keep the supply chain moving, and our facilities up and running. In order to do this, we remain committed to transparent communications, cooperation with local authorities, including supporting ongoing vaccinations to help end the pandemic.”
Last week, seafood major Thai Union Group closed a domestic factory after staff at the site in the south of the country tested positive for Covid-19.
According to Johns Hopkins University data, Thailand has recorded 259,301 cases of Covid-19 and 2,023 deaths.
