Four workers at Ford’s massive Hermosillo, Sonora, facility have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a company spokesperson told KJZZ on Friday. That comes the first week of the so-called “new normal” in Mexico, during which several sectors recently deemed essential were allowed to gradually reopen even as the coronavirus quickly spreads.
“There are going to be cases in the majority of the big plants,” said Gabriel Zepeda, the head of the business group Canacintra in Hermosillo. It represents several hundred businesses, including Ford.
“The important thing is detecting (cases), and instructing people that when they leave those workplaces, that they take care of themselves,” he added.
In a statement, Ford said it has worked with unions and disease experts to develop policies to prevent spread among workers.
“We follow those protocols at all Ford facilities globally,” the statement reads. “Our protocols are in place to help stop the spread of the virus.”
Referring to a single case, an Hermosillo employee was asked to quarantine at home for 14 days, and their work area was cleaned and disinfected, according to Ford.
Citing the virus’ incubation period, the company said it knows the “employee did not contract COVID-19 while at work.”
As of Friday, Zepeda said that he hadn’t heard reports of confirmed cases in other plants represented by Canacintra.
