The Ranger Boats factory in Flippin reopened its doors Tuesday after temporarily shutting down for a COVID-19 outbreak that swept through its factory floor last week, resulting in an unknown number of workers being sent home.
The Baxter Bulletin learned of the factories impending shut down from an anonymous source which was later verified by the company.
While Bass Pro Shops, which owns Ranger Boats through its White River Marine Group, initially denied plans to shut down the factory floor, it changed its position last Thursday and shut the plant down for four days.
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The company confirmed that it would reopen production in its factory Monday and stated that the factory would continue to operate in full compliance with CDC guidelines.
Baxter County is currently experiencing a drastic uptick in COVID-19 infections. The county now has 305 active cases, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. The state’s health department is also currently tracking 7,255 active cases in Arkansas, with 565 cases requiring hospitalization.
Arkansas is currently behind other states in vaccinations, with only 35% of its residents taking one of the three available vaccines.
