COVID-19: March 26th 2020

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we continue to provide you with updated information. 

As of yesterday, 642 people in Sonoma County have been tested for COVID-19 and 86% have tested negative.  There are 34 active cases of COVID-19 in the County today. 

As you know, a ‘Shelter in Place Order’ has been issued for all of California.  Manzana (as a food processing plant and a link in the global Food Supply Chain) is considered as an essential business.  As a food company, the role we play in a time of crisis like this is essential. We provide much needed, healthy food to people across the country. We intend to keep running our operations in Sebastopol.

We remain equally committed to making sure that we take care of our employees. Additional steps that we have taken since our last communication: 

  • We continue to have most of our office staff working from home to limit the people who are coming in and out of the facility.  Teams are holding daily meetings online to ensure that we have everything that we need to continue to produce AND ship finished product to our customers. 
  • For our employees who are 65 or older, a group identified by the CDC as higher risk, we have offered them the opportunity to shelter in place at home so they can be as safe as possible. 
  • We have set up an additional break area in Warehouse 1.  We have also assigned break areas by teams to help all of us follow the social distancing guidelines.
  • We are no longer allowing visitors to Manzana outside of service technicians and truck drivers.  We are asking truck drivers to remain in their trucks as much as possible.

Stay home if you are feeling sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 symptoms

  • If you are feeling sick or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should NOT come to the office. Please contact your healthcare provider about getting tested and inform your Manager or HR.
  • Sonoma County is currently testing 100-150 people per day.  We are asking employees who have been in contact with someone who has been tested for COVID-19, but is still waiting for results, to not return to Manzana until those results are received.  Results seem to be coming back in 24-48 hours.
  • If you have someone with whom you reside who becomes ill with COVID-like symptoms, please contact your supervisor before coming to work.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act will go into effect April 1, 2020.  This bill will provide additional Paid Sick Leave for individuals who are unable to work due to the COVID-19 situation.  More information will be provided on these additional benefits early next week.

Again, thank you for helping us meet increased demand for our products and for taking extra precautions with your own health.  This is the time to take care of each other.