The 11 members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation are raising their concerns with Walmart over how the retail chain has handled coronavirus outbreaks among its employees…
The 11 members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation are raising their concerns with Walmart over how the retail chain has handled coronavirus outbreaks among its employees after dozens tested positive for coronavirus across locations around the state, CNN reports.
“We are writing to express serious concern about your company’s failure to keep Walmart employees in Massachusetts safe amidst the coronavirus,” the Democrats wrote to company CEO Doug McMillon Thursday.
Last month, Worcester officials ordered a Walmart Supercenter closed after 23 employees tested positive for the virus. Additional testing yielded positive results for another 58 employees, bringing the total to 81 workers who had contracted COVID-19.
The store reopened Tuesday after Walmart met certain benchmarks set by local officials, including widespread testing and a deep cleaning conducted by a third-party vendor, among other requirements.
“Periodic, unannounced inspections should be expected,” Worcester officials said. “Walmart must also report any new or suspected cases of COVID-19 to (the Worcester Division of Public Health) immediately.”
However, as of Saturday, Walmart locations in Avon, Quincy, and Abington had all closed their doors, WBUR reports.
