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COVID-19

Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker List Updated (4/22/2020)

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released “Version 3.0” of its Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers list. This provides clarity on some additional critical infrastructure support functions. The guidance also includes language focused on sustained access and freedom of movement, a reference to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on safety for critical infrastructure workers, and a statement advising sick employees to avoid the workplace and the workforce. Agriculture is largely unaffected because most agricultural industries were already deemed “essential.” The announcement is here.

 

NGFA Publishes Information for Industry Use in Communicating COVID-19 Workplace Safety Practices to Official Inspection and Weighing Service Providers (4/22/2020)

NGFA and the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) on April 16 issued a document to member companies conveying information that may be useful in communicating their COVID-19-related employee workplace safety policies and practices to official inspection and weighing service providers working at their facilities.
This includes Official personnel employed by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), Officially Designated Agencies and/or Delegated-Designated States.
“Use of this information is totally optional, and obviously will vary based upon the level of communication already occurring between facility management and Official personnel,” noted NGFA President and CEO Randy Gordon and NAEGA President and CEO Gary Martin in a letter to members accompanying the workplace safety document.
The document includes references to facilities’ policies and practices that may exist related to the use of facemasks, social distancing, and disinfection and sanitation practices.

Important Message on Obtaining PPE in Response to COVID-19 (4/22/2020)

Here is a link to an Excel spreadsheet list containing contact information for 42 distributors that have, or soon will have, significant supplies of non-medical-grade personal protection equipment (such as cloth face masks) available for use by workers within the Food and Agriculture Sector, including NGFA-member companies. This message is being distributed widely within the sector, so please contact these – or your existing – distributors ASAP, particularly if you have an immediate or near-term need for PPE.

Governor Walz Signs Executive Order for Hours of Service for Haulers of Livestock Feed and Fertilizer (4/7/2020)

On Friday, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-27 which provides relief from certain hours of service requirements for drivers and motor carriers transporting livestock feed or fertilizer to assist emergency relief efforts in response to COVID-19. Drivers or carriers operating under the order are still subject to daily driving limits, and the order does not provide any relief from size or weight limits. The emergency executive order will remain in effect for 30 days or until direct assistance has ended. Click here to read Executive Order 20-27.

COVID-19 Informational Resources (3/27/2020)

There is an incredible amount of information related to COVID-19 available on the internet, but we’d like to share a few resources the grain & feed industry can utilize:
If you have public health concerns, we encourage you visit the websites for the Minnesota Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization.
If you are dealing with stress, anxiety or depression and need help, contact the MN Farm and Rural Helpline.
For Minnesota-specific trucking related COVID-19 emergency announcements & information, go to the MN Trucking Association.
For the United States Department of Agriculture and FAQ’s related to COVID-19.