News
CDC makes recommendations for Smithfield’s Sioux Falls plant
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says she’s hopeful the Smithfield packing plant reopening will have a short timeline. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its report following last week’s tour of the plant. The 15-page report contains recommendations for Smithfield to follow in preventing the spread of the virus among plant workers. Noem told reporters Thursday she hopes the Smithfield plant will reopen soon.
“We stand ready to send the Department of Health to help and walk through the plant and be ready to get it up and online,” said Governor Noem Thrusday. “I don’t see any reason for there to be long delays and we’re hoping to partner with them to open it as soon as possible.”
CDC recommendations to Smithfield include, among others, providing facemasks and other personal protective gear, providing for adequate social distancing and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces. The recommendations also call for adding signage with pictographs that encourage handwashing and cleanliness. There are 40 languages spoken among the plant workers in Sioux Falls.