Over the weekend, three employees of a vegetable processing company in Lierstranda, west of the Oslofjord, were diagnosed with COVID-19. Bama therefore made the decision to close the entire department, Bama Industri. The department processes pre-cut and washed lettuce, vegetables and fruit.
Pia Gulbrandsen, commercial director at Bama: “We prepare everything to order every day, so shortages will soon arise in the country. We regret that, of course, but our most important task at the moment is to take care of our employees and prevent further contamination. According to the Norwegian Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the health authorities, there is nothing to indicate that the coronavirus is transmitted through food, so the products are safe. Our measures are purely to prevent the virus from spreading to others and not for food safety. "
Waiting for more clarity
On Friday evening, Bama was informed of the first case of COVID. The employee in question had not been working since Wednesday. On Saturday everyone with minor complaints was sent home. When two more new cases became known on Sunday, Bama decided to close the factory. The employees are doing well under the circumstances.
“We have been in close contact with the local health authorities since Friday and are following their advice. We have stopped processing on our own initiative until more is clear. We don't know when we can start everything up again, but we hope it can be done relatively soon. While we wait for clarity, we are disinfecting the entire company. ”
Source: tv2.no