COVID-19 temporarily closes Houston port terminals
Operations at the Port of Houston will be back to normal March 20 after an International Longshoremen’s Association worker tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19.
Port officials closed two terminals after it was found the worker, who was not identified, had worked at them for two days. The Bayport and Barbours Cut Terminals were closed. After an investigation, port officials announced the worker had limited contact with other workers and they are self-quarantining. The employee has been hospitalized.
The terminals opened for vessels the night of March 19 and all other operations will resume the morning of March 20, according to a news release.
Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association, addressed the situation in a March 19 e-mail to update members on the COVID-19 response. Originally, the port planned to keep the facilities closed until March 23.
“We worked with our importers into Houston, the cold chain sector, other food sectors, Texas retailers, and USDA, and I’m pleased to share that the Port is reopening tonight,” Stenzel wrote in the e-mail. “This port is a major receiver for citrus, bananas, apples and many other fruits.
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