Our fight against COVID-19: Although the curve of infections has fallen notably in Spain and we are now in Phase 3 of the easing of the lockdown in Andalusia, we can’t drop our guard just yet. The Torrent Group is highly concerned about people’s safety. There have been months of uncertainty. And the solution to the pandemic has still not been found. That’s why we have to be even more aware, if possible, that we have to apply the preventative measures in our code of behaviour to the letter in order to combat COVID-19.
Since we began to apply these measures, the response from all our Tribe’s staff has been amazing. We would like to encourage you to continue to follow these measures rigorously, as they have been the most effective measures against the pandemic.
We would like to highlight the following measures regarding access to our productions plants in Spain: Check-list for all Group employees and people from outside the company, temperature control, supply and use of hydroalcoholic gels, prohibition of people outside the company entering production plants and use of our Spray-suppression Facial Protections to protect us from COVID-19.
Furthermore, protection screens have been installed in the factory reception areas, separator methacrylate partitions in cafeterias or rest areas, disinfectant mats in access areas and increased cleaning in areas used by all employees.
Also, we provide updates of the codes of behaviour on the information screens and also on the posters located in the production plant receptions and strategic areas in factories.
Many of the preventative measures against the pandemic that we are applying in factories in Spain have also been included in the code of behaviour for our production plants in India and Kenya.
In India, although the number of infections to COVID-19 is not high in comparison with the country’s millions of inhabitants, restrictive measures are being applied in companies by government decree in order to prevent further cases. This affects our production. Alisha Torrent Closures (ATC) is currently functioning at 70% of its capacity.
The forecast is for manufacturing to continue to rise, given that confinement conditions are gradually being relaxed throughout the country. Businesses, hotels, shops and temples are open, in spite of the curfew imposed by the national government from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At ATC, the use of hydrogel and face masks is obligatory on buses taking employees to the factory. Each employee’s temperature is taken; vehicles accessing the car park are disinfected; before entering the plant, employees go through a sanitation arch, which sprays an antiviral compound containing chlorine dioxide and citrus; there is regular hand washing and social distancing is also required, as well as the use of masks and caps throughout the premises. As with the case of Spain, in India, methacrylate separators have been set up on dining room tables and chairs and in staff rest areas.
COVID-19 in Kenya
At our headquarters in Kenya, the measures are the same as at the other Group production plants to combat COVID-19. Each employee’s temperature is taken before they enter the factory and the use of face masks and disinfectants is mandatory. Visits are of course monitored and arranged in advance.
Positive cases in Kenya have been quite lower than in Spain or India. In spite of everything, a 15-28 day quarantine is applied to those suspected of having the virus at specific establishments identified by the Government. On the other hand, the country’s two most important cities, Nairobi and Mombassa, are currently under lockdown in terms of the movement of people. As with the case of India, since June 6, a curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. has been in place. Bars and restaurants can open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the evening under hygienic sanitary measures.