Los Angeles clothing factory still closes after more than 300 workers hire COVID-19, resulting in 4 deaths

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) – With the increase in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, the demand for facial coatings is also increasing, but health officials are defending the closure of the Los Angeles mask factory Apparel after more than 300 workers contracted the virus, resulting in the deaths of four people.

The South Los Angeles business will remain closed until it meets the county’s established health and safety standards to keep workers safe from the virus.

When the pandemic hit the region, LA Apparel hoped to fill a vital need by making around 100,000 facial covers per week. But with hundreds of employees working indoors, virtuality finally made its way into the factory.

“Business owners and operators must take the health needs of their employees seriously and pay attention to public health directives. Because as we reopened, we’ve seen the largest increase in workplace outbreaks.” the county’s director of public health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer said during a press conference Monday.

Ferrer said the facility has been closed for violating pandemic safety protocols and will not be allowed to reopen until it is met.

The owner of LA Apparel tells Eyewitness News that the company has been testing employees for the past five weeks and verifying the temperatures of all workers before they were allowed to enter the building.

Although many of the infected workers were making masks, Ferrer is not concerned that the virus will spread to people who received those masks.

“It is highly unlikely that there will be transmission, but I want to remind everyone that, whether they are buying a mask or other clothing, it is always useful to wash everything they buy … before using them,” he added.