Horgan tells workers stay home if sick after COVID-19 outbreak at chicken plant

B.C. Premier John Horgan says people who are sick must stay away from work after an outbreak of COVID-19 at a chicken processing plant in Vancouver. Horgan said Wednesday workers should not go to work when they are sick because they fear losing wages, and that he was planning a meeting with Labour Minister Harry Bains and WorkSafe BC officials to discuss sick pay provisions.

Horgan said health investigators arrived at the United Poultry Co. Ltd. plant on Monday after one worker tested positive for COVID-19 and discovered more than two dozen other employees had the disease.

"The lesson that I've learned from the limited information I have on the poultry facility is that workers were coming to work because they were fearful that they would lose wages and not be able to meet their expenses," Horgan told a news conference.

"We can't have people putting others at risk for fear of economic consequences for themselves."

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said 28 workers at the plant in east Vancouver tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week and the facility has been closed.

United Poultry could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

In a news release, Vancouver Coastal Health said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has determined a recall of chicken products from the plant is not required.

The federal agency, which inspects food processing plants like the one in Vancouver, did not comment directly on the COVID-19 outbreak at the plant in a statement Wednesday outlining its responsibilities.

"The CFIA has a responsibility for food safety and the safety of its employees," the statement said. "Decisions related to plant operations due to COVID-19 are made by the establishments and local public health authorities."

The statement said the agency expects operators to follow advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada and local public health authorities in addressing the COVID-19 outbreak.