The General Administration of Customs of the Government of China has banned import of meat from three plants in Brazil following reports of high levels of COVID-19 among workers. Affected plants are apparently operated by Marfrig in Varzea Grande, a JBS chicken plant in Passo Fundo and Minuano in Lajeado.
The Agricultural Ministry of Brazil has initiated negotiations with counterparts in China to have the bans lifted.
The justification for banning meat products from plants where employees have been diagnosed with COVID-19 is questionable. There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 can be transmitted in raw meat or poultry and it would be most unlikely that the viability of the virus would be preserved on packaging.