KY Amazon Returns Warehouse Shuts Down Due to Coronavirus
Amazon Warehouse in Shepherdsville, Kentucky stated that their facility would close for 48 hours after employees test positive for COVID-19 for cleaning purposes. On Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear ordered the Kentucky Amazon warehouse to remain closed until April 1st.
Amazon is supporting employees effected by the virus and promising to offer two weeks of paid leave for workers who test positive. Additional warehouses in New York, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas have also been effected. Amazon employees 800,000 workers globally, and is planning to hire 100,000 new temporary warehouse and delivery workers in an attempt to keep up with demands from online shopping.
Amazon has stated that they have increased their cleaning practices, implemented staggered break times, and eliminated stand up meetings. Additionally, the company has raised is pay by $2 an hour in the United States.
A total of 198 coronavirus cases have now been reported in Kentucky. Gov. Beshear has been enforcing strict social distancing measures statewide, and non-essential businesses have been ordered to close.
