Coronavirus challenge: How are Toyota and some of Kentucky’s largest employers coping?
Even as thousands of Kentuckians are working from home and the state has shut down everything from bars to schools to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, one of the state’s largest employers, is keeping workers on the line.
The Toyota plant in Georgetown employs almost 10,000 workers making Camrys, Hybrid RAV4s and other vehicles.
And, according to a company spokesman, they don’t plan to stop any time soon, even if one of them gets sick.
“If a team member tests positive for COVID-19, that individual, according to CDC guidelines and company protocol, will self-quarantine,” said spokesman Rick Hesterberg, in an email. “To reduce the risk and spread of the virus, we will notify any other team members who may have been in direct contact and ask them to self-quarantine as well while we deep clean and disinfect the area.”
Toyota also will allow a Temporary Personal Leave of Absence for employees that are at higher risk of COVID-19.
“During this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our employees, business partners and the community remains a top priority. We have taken quick action to help protect our employees by following the guidelines from the CDC, medical experts and government officials. We have even taken steps to limit the number of people our employees are exposed to in their work area and revised policies to support team members with specific needs,” Hesterberg said. “Our plants remain operational, which not only provides our employees with stability, but extends to the hundreds of companies in communities across Kentucky and the U.S. that make up our supply chain.
Hesterberg said as of late Tuesday Toyota has had no cases of coronavirus. . As of Monday night, Kentucky reported 25 cases statewide. Kentucky’s confirmed cases are spread across Fayette, Jefferson, Harrison, Nelson, Clark, Bourbon and Montgomery counties. At least 317 people have been tested for the virus in Kentucky.
All of Toyota’s manufacturing plans are remaining operational, he said, but the company is “enacting policies to support our team members including more flexible paid time off for those with childcare needs.”
Toyota isn’t alone. Many major Kentucky employers are continuing to operate.
Businesses exempt from Gov. Andy Beshear’s Tuesday order to cease operations include those in food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, groceries, retail stores, trash collection, home repair and hardware stores, post offices, banks, gas stations, veterinarians, pet stores, public transportation and hotels.
The Jif peanut butter plant in Lexington, owned by Smuckers, appears to be operating normally. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment what they will do if an employee gets sick.
Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries have closed their tourist centers and ended public tours but the making and bottling of spirits is continuing.
Lexmark has told its employees around the world to work from home whenever possible, according to Sharon Votaw, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Most in Lexington are beginning to work from home this week. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, we have action plans in place to follow government and health authority guidance on self-quarantine, reporting, and site cleaning and disinfection.”
But major Kentucky employers have been impacted: On March 12, Louisville-based insurer Humana told employees who can work from home to do so after a case of COVID-19 was reported in a worker in the Waterside building.
And Kentucky’s first case of COVID was a Walmart worker at Cynthiana. The store remains open and the company announced sick leave would be available for those who get the virus. All Walmart stores, as well as Kroger stores, have reduced hours in response to panic shopping that has cleared inventory off shelves.
Ford Motor Company, Kentucky’s largest employer with almost 13,000 workers, announced Tuesday it is suspending European production in Germany in response to the coronavirus for several weeks, beginning Thursday.
The company did not immediately respond to a question on whether the Louisville plants that make Ford trucks, the Ford Escape and the Lincoln MKC will close.
UPS, the state’s second largest private employer with just under 13,000 workers, would not comment on whether any employees have tested positive.
Spokesman Matthew O’Connor said in an email: “We are providing our employees with advice on how to help prevent contracting illness and what to do should they exhibit any symptoms. ... If any employee experiences symptoms such as fever or respiratory infection, they are required to seek medical treatment immediately and not come to work.”
Amazon, which has more than 12,250 workers in Kentucky, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on plans for what to do if a worker tests positive.
The online shopping giant announced it is prioritizing shipments of high-demand “household staples” and medical supplies, baby products, health and personal care products, groceries and pet items to meet increased demand.
“We are working around the clock with our selling partners to ensure availability on these essential products, and continue to bring on additional capacity to deliver your orders,” the company said in its blog.
Amazon also said Monday it’s hiring 100,000 people in fulfillment centers to help meet demand.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 3:39 PM.
