COVID-19 Timeline

Jan. 21: The first U.S. infection of COVID-19 is reported in the state of Washington.

Jan. 30: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms the first U.S. case of person-to-person spread of COVID-19.

Feb. 2: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the CDC issues guidelines for workplace safety, including physical distancing and handwashing.

Feb. 3: The Trump Administration declares a public health emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Feb. 4: The CDC discouraged the use of masks, tweeting “CDC does not currently recommend the use of facemasks to help prevent novel #coronavirus. #2019nCoV is not spreading in communities in the US. Take everyday preventive actions to help slow the spread of respiratory illness.”

Feb. 6: Reuters warned of COVID-19 disrupting meat shipments and exacerbating the imminent meat shortage.

Feb. 24: JBS USA establishes a Crisis Committee to oversee the company’s pandemic response.

Feb. 28: JBS established “Emergency Preparedness Guidelines” which formed the basis for its COVID-19 Playbook that it has leveraged throughout the pandemic. This initial version barred international travel, mandated 14-day quarantine for any team member returning from a hot spot country, prohibited international visitors, limited internal workshops/conferences, prohibited external workshops/conferences, and increased the frequency and duration of plant sanitization processes.

Feb. 29: Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the U.S. coronavirus task force said that the “average American” does not need to “go out and buy” a mask to protect themselves from coronavirus.

March 2: JBS increased sanitation and disinfection processes in its facilities, including installing thousands of new hand sanitizing and hand washing stations. 

March 5: The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Colorado.

March 9: OSHA issues guidance for preparing workplaces for COVID-19.

March 10: The National Pork Producers Council pen a letter to President Trump saying that labor shortages in meatpacking are likely to get worse due to COVID-19 and concerns for worker safety as the industry struggles to meet demands.

March 13: President Donald Trump declares the novel coronavirus a national emergency, allocating billions of dollars in federal funding to fight the spread. JBS began hiring 1,000 health and safety team members to augment their response to COVID-19. 

March 16: COVID-19 vaccine safety tests begin in the United States. Social-distancing guidelines are encouraged to “slow the spread” of COVID-19, including avoidance of gatherings of more than 10 people and called for closing of bars, restaurants and other recreational venues for 15 days. JBS began implementing staggered shifts to facilitate social distancing. The company’s Crisis Committee began meeting daily to respond to rapidly changing information. 

March 17: President Trump asks Congress to expediate emergency relief checks to Americans as part of an economic stimulus package. The proposal comes just as the United States reports its 100th death from COVID-19. 

March 19: Even as mask supply was scarce in the United States, JBS ordered 1.2 million masks from Brazil and China at a cost of $1.25 per mask. The same masks today are available for approximately $0.04, making the amount JBS paid in March approximately 31 times greater than what it would be today. The CDC updated guidance for healthcare workers on using face masks, advising “homemade masks” when surgical masks and N95 respirators are not available and to conserve available PPE. 

March 20: JBS purchased 120,000 balaclava face coverings to help provide temporary coverage until surgical masks were available. JBS began implementing a policy to remove team members in “vulnerable populations”— those who were pregnant, on dialysis, currently receiving treatment for cancer, or 70 and older—from facilities, while providing full pay and benefits.

March 23: JBS fully instituted staggered shifts, starts, and breaks. JBS ordered hundreds of thermometers and infrared devices to monitor team member temperatures.

March 26: JBS USA announces a $600 bonus to be paid to all employees on May 15.

March 27: As the number of U.S. cases surpasses 100,000, Congress approves the CARES act, the largest economic recovery package in history, and Trump signs it into law. The bipartisan legislation provided direct payments to Americans and expansions in unemployment insurance.

March 31: JBS USA cuts production at its Souderton, Penn., facility until April 16, “out of an abundance of caution” after “several senior management team members have displayed flu-like symptoms.” 

April 3: All JBS locations established pre-shift screening procedures, including symptom and temperature checks.

April 4: JBS established an out-going, multilingual call center to check in on team members, notify them of COVID-19 benefits information, remind them of the COVID hotline, and to thank them for their service during the crisis. More than 21,000 calls were made from this call center.

April 7: JBS acquired a sufficient supply of PPE to provide masks and mandated facial coverings at all facilities and for 100% of the workforce, and even provided excess face masks to competitors free of charge if they were unable to procure their own.

April 10: JBS expanded the definition of “vulnerable population” to include team members 65 and older, if their community was experiencing an outbreak.

April 12: JBS installed physical barriers at facility workstations.

April 13: Former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack warned that a “cascading series of events” precipitated by COVID-19 was disrupting the U.S. food-supply chain and threatening to impact millions of Americans.

April 14: JBS USA announces the temporary, voluntary closing of its production facility in Greeley, Colo., until April 24.

April 16: OSHA issued guidance specifically for manufacturing employers, which recommended manufacturing lines be modified to create six feet of distance between workers “if feasible.”

April 19: JBS USA announces a $4/hour bonus for all employees at processing facilities.

April 20: JBS USA announces the temporary, voluntary closure of its Worthington, Minn., facility. 

April 26: JBS USA announces the temporary, voluntary closure of its Green Bay, Wis., facility. 

April 27: JBS USA further expanded the definition of “vulnerable population” to include team members 60 and older, if their location was aware of 10 or more positive cases among co-workers.

April 28: As U.S. cases reach 1 million and concerns rise about food shortages and supply chain disruptions, President Trump issues an executive order under the Defense Production Act to mandate meat-processing facilities continue to function as “critical infrastructure.

May 4: JBS began installing hospital-grade ultraviolet (“UV”) germicidal air sanitation and plasma air technology to neutralize potential viruses in the plant ventilation and air purification systems. These state-of-the art systems have been installed in all facilities.

May 5: JBS USA announces plans to reopen its Green Bay, Wis., facility. 

May 7: JBS USA reopens a portion of its Worthington, Minn., facility with reduced staff.

May 9: The FDA broadens its authorization of a saliva-based test to detect COVID-19 infection.

May 13: JBS USA announces a $50 million community investment initiative called Hometown Strong to support local communities where the company operates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 27: JBS introduced a $1,500 bonus for all team members continuously employed and in good standing, including those staying home from work under the policies instituted to stop the spread of COVID-19.

May 28: U.S. COVID-19 deaths reaches the 100,000 mark. 

June 10: The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reaches 2 million in the United States as new infections continue to rise in 20 states. Cases began to spike as states ease social distancing restrictions.

June 16: JBS USA initiates a partial reopening of its Hyrum, Utah, facility. The facility resumes full operations on June 19. 

Aug. 4: JBS begins surveillance testing at eight facilities nationally. Today, JBS tests at 100% of its facilities nationwide.

Aug. 8: The United States enters a new phase of the pandemic as widespread cases nationwide differ from early concentrated outbreaks first reported in March and April. 

Aug. 15: The FDA issues an EUA for SalivaDirect, a minimally invasive, inexpensive test, as an alternative to the standard nasal swabs. 

Oct. 5: JBS USA CEO Andre Nogueira says another wave of COVID-19 closures at meatpacking facilities is unlikely after new worker testing and safety practices are put in place.

Oct. 15: The United States reports 60,000 new COVID-19 cases, a number not reached since early August. Cases rise nationwide, and 44 states reported caseloads surpassing those seen in mid-September. 

Nov. 4: The U.S. hits a grim milestone with 100,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in a single day for the first time. 

Nov. 30: JBS USA enhanced its health plan to cover 100% of all healthcare services for COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment. This is in addition to free COVID-19 testing that was available since March. This change was retroactive to March 1, 2020.

Dec. 11: A day after the panel voted, the FDA agrees to an EUA for the Pfizer, BioNTech vaccine, allowing shipments to begin. Vaccinations of health care workers began within days.

Dec. 18: The FDA issues the second EUA allowing shipments of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to begin.

Dec. 31: As the year closes, the CDC said about 2.8 million people so far have received an initial vaccination. This is out of the 14 million doses distributed and 20 million allocated.

Jan. 21: JBS USA announces they will pay $100 to U.S. employees who voluntarily receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Feb. 19: The White House confirms winter storms created havoc in getting 6 million vaccine doses out to all 50 states.

Feb. 26: The Biden Administration announces 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

Feb. 27: JBS USA and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp will offer the COVID-19 vaccine to 8,500 team members in Beardstown, Illinois; Booneville, Mississippi; Cactus and Lufkin, Texas; Grand Island, Nebraska; Greeley, Colorado; Hyrum, Utah; Marshalltown, Iowa; and Moorefield, West Virginia. 

March 8: CDC announces that fully vaccinated people may resume some activities in private. However, the CDC continues to recommend masks and distancing when meeting unvaccinated individuals at high risk, with members of multiple households or in public.

March 11: The House Education and Labor Committee holds a hearing on “Clearing the Air: Science-Based Strategies to Protect Workers from COVID-19 Infections.” Worker safety in the meatpacking industry is a key topic of discussion. President Biden instructs states to make vaccines available to all adults 18 years and older by May 1.

March 15: JBS USA announces that approximately 14,000 of the company’s team members in the U.S. have received a COVID-19 vaccine to date, with an additional 7,000 scheduled for vaccination. Approximately one-third of the company’s 60,000+ team members will have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

March 17: NBC News reports the increased production of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines by manufacturers is expected to boost the supply of available doses to 700 million by this summer. At this point, around 39 million people in America (12%) have been fully vaccinated.

March 19: The Associated Press reports that the United States has administered 100 million COVID-19 shots, more than a month before Biden’s target date of his 100th day in office. Currently, the country administers around 2.5 million doses each day. 

June 23: JBS USA announces an additional $20 million for Hometown Strong funding to support affordable housing initiatives.

June 24: JBS USA and Pilgrim’s announce “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative, taking place June 26-Aug. 31, where those receiving their first vaccine at the clinic will be eligible to win free meat for a family of four for a year.

June 26: JBS Greeley hosts first vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

June 28: JBS Greeley hosts second vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 3: JBS Greeley hosts third vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. 

July 10: JBS Grand Island hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 11: Pilgrim’s Gainesville hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 16: Pilgrim’s Arcadia hosts first of three vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 17: JBS Ottumwa and Pilgrim’s Carrollton host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 23: JBS Cactus hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. Pilgrim’s Canton also hosts an internal company-wide vaccination effort.

July 24: JBS Beardstown, JBS Marshalltown and Pilgrim’s Marshville host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 27: Pilgrim’s Athens and Pilgrim’s Sumter host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 29: Pilgrim’s Guntersville hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 30: Pilgrim’s Douglas and JBS Worthington host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

July 31: JBS Grand Island, Pilgrim’s Elberton and JBS Riverside host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 1: JBS Tolleson hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 3: Pilgrim’s Enterprise hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 4: Pilgrim’s Moorefield hosts first of two vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 6: JBS Souderton hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 7: Over 550 people receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic hosted by JBS Hyrum in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” sweepstakes.

Aug. 10: Pilgrim’s Ellijay hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. 

Aug. 11: Pilgrim’s De Queen hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 12: Pilgrim’s Nacogdoches and Pilgrim’s Aibonito host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. Over 150 individuals are vaccinated at the Nacogdoches clinic.

Aug. 13: Pilgrim’s Athens hosts internal vaccination clinic for team members.

Aug. 14: Pilgrim’s Mayfield, Natchitoches, Gainesville, Mt. Pleasant and JBS Omaha host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 17: Pilgrim’s Ellijay hosts second vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 18: Pilgrim’s Canton and JBS Green Bay host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. JBS Green Bay vaccinates over 150 individuals.

Aug. 19: JBS Lenoir and Pilgrim’s Natchitoches host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. Pilgrim’s Chattanooga also hosts an internal vaccination clinic.

Aug. 20: JBS Plainwell and JBS Souderton host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 21: Pilgrim’s Russellville, Pilgrim’s Sanford and JBS Louisville host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. Pilgrim’s Sanford vaccinates 150 individuals.

Aug. 25: Pilgrim’s Lufkin hosts vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 26: Pilgrim’s Waco and Pilgrim’s Chattanooga host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 27: Pilgrim’s Guntersville hosts second vaccination clinic in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 28: Pilgrim’s Broadway and Pilgrim’s Live Oak host vaccination clinics in conjunction with the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 vaccination initiative.

Aug. 31: JBS USA and Pilgrim’s reach over 2,000 vaccinations through the “Your Shot at Free Meat for a Year” COVID-19 community vaccination initiative. 

Sept. 15: JBS USA announces an additional $20 million for Hometown Strong funding to support more projects in local communities, bringing the total investment to $100 million in projects, food contributions and affordable housing initiatives since 2020.