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Amazon settles claims it concealed Covid-19 cases from workers

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Amazon fulfilment center warehouse

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AmazonOn Monday reached a settlementCalifornia’s attorney General intervened in a dispute regarding claims that Covid-19 cases numbers were not disclosed to warehouse workers.

According to a statement by California State Attorney General Rob Bonta, the company agreed to inform warehouse workers about new Covid cases within one working day and provide details on how many cases were in their work place. According to Bonta, Amazon employs thousands of warehouse workers across the state.

Bonta explained that Amazon would notify the local health departments within 48 hours of any Covid case and will contribute $500,000 to further enforcement of California’s consumer protection laws.

Barbara Agrait, spokesperson for Amazon, stated that there is no alteration to the protocol of notifying employees about Covid exposure.

Agrait released a statement saying that they were happy to resolve the matter and had no concerns about safety in their buildings.

California’s Assembly Bill 685, also known as the “right-to know” law, has enacted more stringent Covid workplace regulations. The regulations, which include other requirements, require that businesses report Covid cases within one day to employees.

Bonta stated that Amazon did not notify warehouse workers or local health authorities of Covid cases numbers during the pandemic. This “often left them in the dark” and made it difficult to track its spread.

Amazon notifies warehouse workers of any new Covid cases via an internal messaging portal called A to Z. It then works to find out if others have come in contact with the individual who has tested positive. This includes reviewing footage from on-site cameras and interviewing workers.

Anger has been expressed previously against warehouse and delivery workers Amazon’s contact tracing case notification protocolsThey claim they are inadequate.

Last year, Xavier Becerra was the Attorney General of California. opened a probeAmazon’s treatment for warehouse workers in the aftermath of the pandemic.

California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Division also fined Amazon last OctoberTwo warehouses were found to have coronavirus safety violations. According to the citation, Amazon failed to notify its contracted drivers about confirmed cases at one location.

Amazon claimed at the time that its coronavirus safety precautions were more than adequate.

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