Ocean Choice International has been granted a court injunction, ordering former workers at the Marystown fish-processing plant to allow company officials access to the facility.

The former workers have been protesting outside the plant around the clock since it was closed in early December. They have been on a public road leading to the plant since Dec. 22.

Judge Deborah Fry said the protesters can remain, but she ruled that they cannot stop OCI officials from accessing the company’s property. She also said the former workers can not trespass onto OCI’s property

Fry dismissed the union's argument that the company must be prevented from removing equipment from the Marystown plant.

In court last week, the workers’ lawyer said they believe the plant is less likely to ever reopen if equipment is removed from it.

Fry said the union did not give any reason why the company should not be able to enter its own plant.