Apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings announced that its Bodyline plant in Horana is closed, following the identification of a COVID-19 outbreak in the facility.

A total of 35 employees have tested positive for COVID-19, since the identification of the first positive case on October 30.

With the Horana Ministry of Health Office having informed by the Bodyline management on October 30, regarding the identification of a COVID-19-positive case in the plant, a decision was taken to halt the operations at the facility from October 31, until further notice.

The management shared that approximately 200 team members, who were associated with the fist affected case, were placed in self-quarantine, with arrangements made for PCR tests in collaboration with the health authorities.

From these 200 team members, PCR tests were carried out on 145 of the closest contacts, out of which 34 confirmed positive.

“The management has taken the decision to close the plant until further notice and will recommence only after extensive PCR tests are carried out amongst other team members, complete sanitisation of the facility and clearance from the health authorities,” the Bodyline management said.

Bodyline added that it would continue to monitor the situation proactively in collaboration with the Health Ministry and take the necessary actions to prevent the spread of this virus within its facilities and in the communities it operates in.