Nebraska State Senators have advanced a COVID Virus Protection bill for meat packing workers. The State Farmers Union backs the measure. President John Hansen says the bill was brought forward by Senator Tony Vargas who came together with meatpackers to introduce this measure.

He says two components were removed from the bill which allowed it to advance. Hansen says those included a six foot separation requirement for workers as well as tougher ventilation standards.

Left in the legislation were a mask mandate, paid leave for workers who test positive and the opportunity to get tested on company time. Hansen says some meat packers have already made safety improvements so Vargas bill won’t effect them.

A similar measure stalled in the Nebraska legislature last year.