The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit B.C.’s lumber industry.
Conifex Timber Inc. says its continuing with its temporary curtailment in Mackenzie, extending the closure to June 1 as of this week.
On April 16, the company began its official curtailment at the district’s sawmill for two weeks to account for a weakened global demand for forest products.
Conifex adds its prioritizing the health and safety of all employees as public health officials continue to recommend physical distancing measures to help flatten the curve on COVID-19.
It adds the new four-week curtailment, however, is not expected to have a lasting impact on bioenergy operations.
Marketing conditions, customer demand and the world’s overall response to COVID-19 will continue to be monitored, the company says.
As of this publication, there are 51 positive cases of the virus within Northern Health’s jurisdiction, which includes Mackenzie.
Among these cases, 46 have fully recovered, three are in hospital, two are in critical care and there are no deaths.
