SPRINGDALE, ARK. — Tyson Foods Inc. confirmed on June 3 that it is restoring its standard attendance policy after relaxing certain measures during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company reiterated that it would continue to relax attendance policies if employees are not feeling well.

“With these measures firmly in place, we’re reinstating our standard attendance policy,” said Gary Mickelson, spokesperson for Tyson Foods. “But our position on COVID-19 has not changed: Workers who have symptoms of the virus or have tested positive will continue to be asked to stay home. They will also continue to qualify for short-term disability pay so they can continue to be paid while they’re sick.”

The company said in late April it is also increasing short-term disability coverage to 90% of normal pay until June 30, 2020, for workers who are unable to work due to illness.

According to Tyson, employees who test positive for COVID-19 receive paid leave and may return to work only when they have met the criteria established by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Tyson Foods. 

Along with these changes, Tyson reiterated the steps the company has taken to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in plants, including taking worker temperatures and installing more than 150 infrared walk-through temperature scanners in its facilities.

Additionally, workers will be screened for more symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. Social distancing will be enforced at each facility with designated monitors. Workers will be required to use company-provided surgical-style face coverings.