DoH clears Unilever’s Boksburg plant to reopen

The Department of Health (DoH) has cleared Unilever South Africa’s Boksburg plant to reopen, and those infected will remain in quarantine until cleared to return to work, Unilever South Africa said.

Operations resumed on Thursday, April 23.

According to Unilever South Africa’s corporate affairs and sustainable business director, Shobna Persadh, an employee at the plant first reported a positive test for Covid-19 the weekend before Easter, a week after the employee was last on site.

In line with the established NCID protocols, Unilever South Africa immediately traced all the direct contacts and advised them to self-isolate.

Unilever South Africa management also decided to pause operations at the Boksburg factory as an additional precaution to undertake a deep clean.

“This was a company decision as the well being of employees remains a top priority and every precaution is being taken to keep them safe.

“We also recognise that our products are needed to combat the coronavirus and we are committed to maintaining supplies of essential goods under safe conditions,” said Persadh.

Unilever South Africa also launched a full testing and tracing programme together with DoH for all 680 employees and contractors who work at the company’s Boksburg plant.

Thereafter, it was discovered that 42 employees, including contractors, had contracted the disease.

“Those who tested positive will remain in quarantine until cleared to return to work. Our thoughts are with them for a speedy recovery.

“As well as following all DoH directives, Unilever South Africa has been implementing Unilever’s global best practice guidance for deep cleaning, PPE and physical distancing since the threat from Covid-19 was first confirmed,” added Persadh.

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