El Milagro tortilla factory to remain closed for now

When tortilla giant El Milagro closed one of its Chicago factories in late April, the plan was to reopen in a couple of weeks.

Now, the company says it is delaying that reopening.

“We voluntarily closed our plant to allow everyone at least a two-week quarantine and prevent spread of the [coronavirus]. While it was closed, we elected to do some deferred construction, so we will reopen when that is completed,” the company said Tuesday in statement.

There was no information about when the work will be completed.

Social media has been buzzing with concerns about the absence of El Milagro tortillas on many grocery store shelves. And two weeks ago, a company spokeswoman said the closure of the factory would likely mean a 75% cut in corn tortilla production.

The factory was temporarily closed after the death of an employee due to complications from the coronavirus.

In a letter to employees last month, El Milagro said the deceased worker, who was not named, had not been at the plant at 2919 S. Western Ave. since April 9 and two other employees had since tested positive for the virus.

At the time, the company said it was closing the plant for two weeks so an outside cleaning company could sanitize the facility. All employees scheduled to work at the facility “will be paid (40 hours per week) during this time off,” El Milagro said at the time.