Since the beginning of the pandemic, Mercamadrid has worked with two key objectives: to guarantee the continuity of the activity in the food supply and to do so in safe working conditions for all the people whose activity converges in the food unit. Under this commitment, and within the framework of Plan Sumamos, one more step is taken, opening the opportunity to carry out periodic tests of Covid-19 to all the people who work in the enclosure, completely free of charge, with the temporary center that begins its activity this week.
This project is possible thanks to the alliance with the CEOE Foundation, CEIM and the Community of Madrid that, in their commitment to advance in the tracking capacity and amplify the fight against Covid-19 in the business sector, have promoted the Plan Sumamos. S + E – Health plus Economy. The inauguration was carried out by the president of the Mercamadrid Administration Council, Ángel Niño, the president of CEIM, Miguel Garrido, the president of the CEOE Foundation, Fátima Báñez, the mayor of the city of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and the president from the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
In the words of the chairman of the Mercamadrid Board of Directors, Ángel Niño, “with the launch of the Sumamos Plan in Mercamadrid, we open the opportunity to carry out periodic tests of Covid-19 to all the people who work in the premises – wholesalers and retailers-, completely free of charge. This center is the result of the best example of public-private collaboration ”.
For the president of the CEOE Foundation, Fátima Báñez, "if we all go hand in hand in this shared strategy with the Public Administrations, surely we will return to normality as soon as possible". Báñez stressed that it is "an alliance for people, for their health, and also for the economy and employment", while thanking "the sensitivity" of the Government of the Community of Madrid and the City Council to establish " this public-private alliance ”.
In the opinion of the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, "we will overcome the economic and social crisis from the efforts of all", while affirming that businessmen, freelancers and entrepreneurs "are an essential recovery engine", and have asked "to continue being the engine of wealth and job creation", for which he has offered "collaboration, support and backing from the City Council."
For her part, the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has highlighted the importance of expanding diagnostic capacity with massive screening, also in workplaces, with the aim of detecting cases of Covid-19. “With responsibility and these tests we are convinced that we will soon overcome the crisis. There is little left, but we cannot trust each other at all ”, said Ayuso.
Mercamadrid, the largest food marketing, transformation and logistics platform in the country, is the first destination for this initiative, with a national vocation. An average of 20,000 people attend it every day to carry out their professional activity. A large business center, with more than 800 companies installed, which as of today has the support of the Sumamos Plan in the fight against Covid.
By regularly testing the templates, the probability of transmitting the virus on computers is considerably reduced. In addition, it transfers the peace of mind and security necessary to continue offering the best service to customers, as well as to the end consumer.
The data collected will be transferred to the General Directorate of Public Health of the Community of Madrid and to the Radar COVID tracking application, in order to correctly monitor the contacts of the positives.
The center has received a visit today from the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; the Minister of Health of the Community of Madrid, Enrique Ruiz Escudero; José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid; Miguel Ángel Redondo, delegate of Economy, Innovation and Employment of Madrid; Fátima Báñez, president of the CEOE Foundation; Miguel Garrido, president of CEIM; José Alberto González-Ruiz, CEOE Secretary General; Francisco Mesonero, president of the Adecco Foundation; Silvia Llerena, First Vice President of Mercamadrid (Mercasa); received by Ángel Niño, president of the Mercamadrid Board of Directors, and its CEO, David Chica.
Mercamadrid S.A. It is a mixed company whose majority shareholders are the Madrid City Council (51.13%) and the public company Mercasa (48.63%).
Since yesterday, Monday 28th, a dozen SUMMA 112 health professionals, including nurses and emergency technicians, carry out the tests at the Mercamadrid facilities between 6 a.m. and 12 noon, from Monday to Friday, except holidays. SUMMA 112 is the Medical Emergency Service of the Community of Madrid, dependent on the Ministry of Health.
