One of three beef packing plants on the Prairies has closed — at least temporarily — over the coronavirus.
The Calgary meat processor was closed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) when it was discovered one plant employee might have the COVID-19 virus.
CFIA meat inspectors refused to work March 27 and their employer backed them up until assessment of health risks is completed.
The COVID-19 virus cannot be transmitted by food. The virus is transmitted in droplets from a person coughing or sneezing, or the virus from these droplets coming into contact with the mouth, eyes or nose.
Meat contamination is not a threat in this situation, said Dr. Deena Henshaw, Alberta chief medical health officer.
The plant, which daily screens every worker for COVID-19 virus symptoms, was hoping to re-open soon.
Alberta premier Jason Kenney, citing the demand for meat, mused about replacing the CFIA inspectors with Alberta meat inspectors.
Harmony Beef has slaughter capacity of 750 animals a day compared with 6,500 head a day by the other two beef packers in Alberta.
An Olymel pork processing plant in Quebec closed because of COVD-19 scares.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
