Amazon confirms at least 4th coronavirus case at Lexington centers
A worker at the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Mercer Road has tested positive for coronavirus, spokesperson Alyssa Bronikowski confirmed Thursday.
“We are supporting the individual who is recovering,” Bronikowski said in an email. “We are following guidelines from health officials and medical experts and are taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of employees at our site.”
Amazon informed employees via text message, which was obtained by the Herald-Leader. The affected employee’s last day on site at the Mercer Road facility called Lex 1 was April 10, according to the text. The site underwent enhanced cleanings since the employee’s last day there, the text said.
Amazon has taken several steps to help keep employees safe, according to the text. The measures include mandatory 6-foot social distancing with daily audits, mandatory face covering (facemasks provided), thermal temperature checks for anyone entering the building, staggered shifts and extended breaks. Employees are also required to sanitize and clean work stations and vehicles at the start and end of each shift.
Employees will not be penalized for absences, the text said. “We understand that you may be nervous about coming to work.”
Amazon employees placed into quarantine or diagnosed with COVID-19 are granted up to two weeks of pay, Amazon said. This is in addition to unlimited unpaid time off for all hourly employees through the end of April.
As of April 10, the Herald-Leader had confirmed that at least three employees at the LEX2 Amazon Fulfillment Center at 172 Trade Street tested positive for coronavirus.
The Herald-Leader has not confirmed any other cases of coronavirus at the LEX1 Amazon Fulfillment Center.