Agriculure and Natural Resources Educator for Purdue Extension Adam Shanks has released the following information regarding what is currently going in our area, state and nation with the COVID-19 pandemic.Some of you may be wondering how the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order impacts you based on its restrictions on travel. Here is some information on how it affects those of you in Agriculture.
Food and Agriculture is designated Critical Infrastructure by the United States Department of Homeland Security. For this reason, agricultural businesses and operations are not just permitted to, but expected to continue operations during emergencies. If you fully read the Governor’s Order, it specifically lists food production and distribution as “Essential Infrastructure.” Later in the order it states this under “Essential Businesses and Operations.”:
You can find the complete text of the Executive Order here: https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive_Order_20-08_Stay_at_Home.pdf
Even if further restrictions are put in place, Agricultural Producers involved in Food Production, Processing, and distribution should continue operations. This is the link to the US Department of Homeland Security Guidance Document regarding Critical Infrastructure personnel, issued last Thursday: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA-Guidance-on-Essential-Critical-Infrastructure-Workers-1-20-508c.pdf On page 6 it lists specific personnel considered to be exempt from emergency declarations in food and agriculture. You should note that while according to this document food production, transportation, processing and those involved in forest and wood product production are included, those involved in ornamental horticulture are not.
This does not completely mean you should engage in business as usual. You should observe guidelines such as social distancing, minimize your contact with others, and practice good sanitation. However it does mean that even if someone in your business is ill with coronavirus, you should not shut down all operations but observe CDC guidelines and maintain operations as well as you are able. I heard of one commercial agribusiness where one employee tested positive for the coronavirus and it completely shut down. This is not the way this should happen in any business designated part of critical infrastructure. A hospital does not close when one of its employees becomes ill.
The CDC has recommendations for businesses and workplaces here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
It is recommended that you have some sort of documentation with you when traveling on agricultural business. I have attached two documents which may help you with this, one for employees and one for those involved in shipping products. You may use these as templates and customize them for your own use or you may develop your own.