More than 30 Amazon workers in New York warehouse test positive for coronavirus: report

An Amazon employee claimed that over 30 employees at a warehouse outside of New York City have tested positive for the coronavirus, Business Insider reports, a number that has not been confirmed by the tech giant.

“We are supporting the individuals, who are recovering,” Rachael Lighty, an Amazon spokeswoman said in a statement to The Hill.

“We are following guidelines from health officials and medical experts, and are taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of employees at our site,” she continued, calling Amazon employees “heroes fighting for their communities.”

Employees at the Amazon fulfillment center in Carteret, N.J., said they received a text message Wednesday informing them of additional coronavirus cases.

“Every other day it’s the same text message,” one anonymous employee told Business Insider. “Our building during one day shift has over 500 people in the building at once. There’s no way to properly distance yourself when running at that capacity. And every day they’re hiring more and more people.”

“I used to feel safe here, but not anymore,” the employee continued. “They just care about putting out packages.”

Amazon has implemented a policy of unlimited unpaid time off and a $2-per-hour pay increase for hazard pay amid the coronavirus pandemic. The policies will both continue through the end of the month, according to multiple reports.  

All Amazon employees diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine will also receive up to two weeks of pay.

Five lawmakers penned a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos earlier this month expressing dismay at the work conditions of Amazon employees. The letter discusses Chris Smalls, who was reportedly fired after organizing a walkout and demanding a change in conditions for warehouse employees.  

Last month, New York Attorney General Letitia James called for an investigation into Smalls’s firing.

Amazon has claimed that Smalls was fired for coming on-site after being told to remain at home because he came in contact with another employee who tested positive for coronavirus.   

–Updated at 9:58 a.m.