PM USA closes due to employee contracting new pneumonia

According to the Tobacco Newsletter, Philip Morris USA (hereinafter referred to as PM USA) in Richmond, Virginia, USA, which produces heated non-combustion vapes, will be suspended.

The reason is that the company was recently informed that the company's second employee, COVID-19 (new coronary pneumonia), tested positive. The company expects that the non-combustible heating vape manufacturing center will be suspended within the next two weeks, but PM USA will continue to monitor developments.

PM USA has actively implemented a business continuity plan and believes that in addition to its current wholesale and retail inventory, it currently has sufficient inventory of finished cigarettes for approximately two months of use based on current estimated shipments.

In addition, due to supply chain restrictions related to New Coronary Pneumonia, some domestic operations of Altria's cigar company Middleton will also be suspended for two weeks.

Middleton believes that in addition to the current wholesale and retail inventory, based on the current estimated shipments, the company has sufficient stock of finished cigars for approximately 3 months of use.

Billy Gifford, vice chairman and chief financial officer of Altria, said: "We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of employees, contractors, their families and the communities in which we operate. We take the threat of new coronary pneumonia seriously and have been actively implementing Plan to minimize business disruption and its potential impact on employees, consumers, and customers."

During the two-week temporary shutdown of the plant, PM USA and Middleton will pay their employees regular base salaries. PM USA and Middleton will assess whether to provide additional compensation beyond this time frame as needed.

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