JBS USA announced April 13 the temporary closure of the Greeley beef production facility until April 24, 2020, and multiple additional efforts to support the fight against COVID-19 in Weld County, Colo. As the largest employer in the county with more than 6,000 team members, the company said it is focusing its efforts to help combat the spread of coronavirus.

The Greeley beef facility will wind down operations over the next two days with a diminished staff to ensure existing product in the facility can be used to support food supply needs. In partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and the Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment, the company said it will advise its Greeley beef team members to shelter in place in accordance with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ stay-at-home order until returning to work. The company will continue to pay its team members during the plant closure.

“While the Greeley beef facility is critical to the U.S. food supply and local producers, the continued spread of coronavirus in Weld County requires decisive action,” said Andre Nogueira, JBS USA CEO. “As a leading member of this community, we believe we must do our part to support our local health professionals and first responders leading the fight against coronavirus.”

Weld County is currently experiencing a growing outbreak of COVID-19, with nearly 740 cases to date. To further aid the community’s response to the local outbreak, the company said it will provide funding to replenish personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders and essential city workers, including protective suits for Greeley fire, police and transit officials; provide funding for antibody testing for first responders; and donate $90,000 to the Greeley Personal Isolation Facility to house recovering COVID-19 patients and free up critical hospital space for critically ill individuals.

The company will also purchase and provide up to 1,000 COVID-19 test kits for low-income and uninsured local Weld County residents who require testing. This does not include the previously announced $1 million in test kits purchased by JBS USA. Rather than test its team members, the company said it has decided to take more aggressive action and self-quarantine Greeley beef employees until plant reopening.

To further support the community, the company announced it is donating $50,000 to the United Way of Weld County to support the production of masks for local residents and other COVID-19 relief efforts. Masks have been identified as an effective preventative measure against spreading the virus and all Coloradans are being encouraged to wear masks while in public.

In response to the growing need for food during this critical moment, the company also committed $100,000 to the Weld County Food Bank to provide food to local residents in need.

JBS USA operates more than 60 meat, poultry and prepared foods facilities across the U.S. The Greeley beef production facility is the second JBS USA plant to temporarily close, joining the Souderton, Pa., beef production facility. The company said it has also experienced increased absenteeism in a few other plants, but continues to operate the majority of its facilities across the country at or near capacity, in an effort to continue providing food for Americans.

To date, JBS USA said it has adopted the following safety measures, health protocols and worker benefits at all its facilities.