Since the end of January, at the onset of the coronavirus propagation around the world, Montes del Plata has been working on identifying risks and taking measures in accordance with global and regional scenarios, strengthening them in line with the advance of the pandemic in the country.

The company maintains a permanent working group that analyzes the situation on a daily basis and generates protocols tailored for each operating center.

Upon confirmation of the first cases in Uruguay, all at-risk personnel were identified, on account of previous pathologies or specific conditions, and immediately ceased attending their operational centre. Likewise, relevant measures were taken to reduce the concentration of individuals in workplaces. Visits, training sessions and meetings were suspended to prevent crowds, and it was also determined that, for all possible positions, personnel would work remotely.

Furthermore, measures were taken to ensure minimum distances between those who attend operational centres, including doubling the number of transportation vehicles for them, expanding some of the facilities - such as the canteen - and arranging differentiated shifts or groups to comply with the established safe distance.

Likewise, new protocols were implemented for vehicles, machinery, workplaces, dining rooms, bathrooms and disinfection and cleaning of facilities. As such, elements for frequent hand washing and surface disinfection were set up.

Since January, Montes del Plata’s overseas port terminal has banned the disembarking of crew members and restricted ship access solely to essential personnel equipped with masks and sanitizer. Likewise, maritime agencies were requested to present the company their Libre Platica Sanitaria health report, in addition to information on the last 10 ports and the origin of its crew.

The company set up a telephone line for its collaborators to receive advice from the medical services of the industrial complex in Punta Pereira (Colonia) and the plant nursery (Río Negro). In both facilities, body temperature is controlled daily in the entrance.

Montes del Plata continues to analyze the situation and take measures prioritizing the health and care of individuals, in order to maintain, as long as it´s possible and safe, the operation of a productive chain that involves over 6,000 families.