COVID-19 Cases Force Closure of 2 Hormel-Owned Plants

Two plants in Illinois and Kansas operated by Hormel Foods subsidiaries have been temporarily shuttered after a number of workers at the facilities tested positive for the novel coronavirus, local and national news organizations reported this week. 

Officials with the Ogle County Health Department ordered Hormel to close its Rochelle Foods plant in Rochelle, IL on April 17 after 24 COVID-19 cases emerged that were connected to the facility, coverage by television news station WIFR said. 

“We are working to further understand the closure order and are consulting with our legal counsel to understand next steps,” Rochelle Foods said in a statement to the television news station. “We have decided to voluntarily close our facility to ensure a broader understanding of COVID-19 in the Rochelle community, Ogle county, and the impact on our operations.”

Another plant in Alma, KS operated by Hormel subsidiary Alma Foods was closed after one worker contracted COVID-19. 

“Given that this is a smaller production facility with minimal staffing, the company decided it was the best decision to pause the operations for 14 days to ensure the safety of its approximately 100 team members,” Hormel said in a statement to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. 

Workers at both sites will continue to be paid during the shutdowns.

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