A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the cracker expansion project at NOVA Chemicals Corunna.
Company spokesperson Julia Iacovella said Lambton Public Health declared an outbreak Friday after two contractors tested positive for the virus and were on-site within the infectious period.
"Employees or contractors that have been in direct contact with the individual are being identified and all parties are working with local public health officials," Iacovella said in a statement. "As a precaution, work has been suspended in the affected area of the construction site until the New Year. The affected area is within an identified fence line and, at this time, all other construction activity on the Corunna and Rokeby sites continues. All regional manufacturing facilities remain operational."
Iacovella said they're monitoring the situation daily, and have strict protocols aligned with guidance from public health authorities.
She said non-site critical staff continue to work from home, those required to be on-site are physical distancing and non-essential in-person meetings and other gatherings are being eliminated. Face coverings are mandatory in all occupied buildings, there are site access screening and quarantine protocols, and only essential visitors including bulk truck drivers, and necessary site maintenance vendors are being allowed access. There is increased spacing for offices, lunchrooms and breaks, and enhanced cleaning of common and high touch areas.
Iacovella said the cracker expansion project and construction of the new polyethylene plant are safely and steadily progressing but it's too early to say what impact the pandemic will have on their overall construction schedule.