MAINE, USA — Two New Balance factories in Maine are temporarily shutting down production while waiting for an employee's COVID-19 test result, according to our partners at the Portland Press Herald.
On Wednesday, the Skowhegan and Norridgewock facilities closed while the Norway factory will close Thursday for cleaning.
A spokesperson for the company said the employee showed possible symptoms of COVID-19, and the decision to close was a precautionary measure. The facilities were making face masks for the pandemic.
A spokesperson for New Balance gave NEWS CENTER Maine the following statement:
“New Balance’s top priority is to maintain the safety and health of our associates, customers, and communities. As soon as we were notified an associate had demonstrated possible COVID-19 symptoms, we took the precautionary step to temporarily close our Norridgewock and Skowhegan factories, effective July 1, for cleaning and sanitizing. Out of an abundance of caution, our Norway factory closed on July 2 for additional cleaning. We will continue to follow our comprehensive health and safety guidelines and plan to reopen all factories after the holiday weekend.”
Production of masks will continue exclusively at the New Balance factory in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
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At NEWS CENTER Maine, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the illness. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: /coronavirus
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