April 13, 2020 – The Michigan Agri-Business Association has compiled resources and news updates to help members working through this situation. Coronavirus response is a fluid situation with a steady stream of updates from state and federal authorities. The State of Michigan and several industry sources are providing information for employers regarding Coronavirus. We encourage all those engaged in Michigan’s agriculture sector to take a moment to consider preparation, workforce and supply chain issues, and both internal and external communication in light of this issue. Sign up here to receive email updates from MABA related to Coronavirus. We are here to help! If you have any questions or if you are seeking specific information, please contact our office at 517-336-0223 or maba@miagbiz.org. Latest News May 7 – Governor Whitmer Details Six Phases of Her MI Safe Start Plan. The governor has worked with leaders in health care, business, labor, and education to develop the plan, and announced today that Michigan is in phase three. Go here to view detailed phases. May 7 – Governor Whitmer Extends Stay Home, Stay Safe Order, Reopens Manufacturing as Part of her MI Safe Start Plan. This announcement aligns the date on the stay home order with the current state of emergency declaration. The governor’s order will allow manufacturing workers, including those at Michigan’s Big 3 auto companies, to resume work on Monday, May 11 as part of her MI Safe Start Plan. Go here for more information. April 28 – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a new order last week that clears the way for testing of critical infrastructure employees. Go here for more information. April 24 – Michigan’s stay-home order has been extended to May 15. Some restrictions that were previously in place have now been lifted, and there is a new requirement related to face coverings. Here are some of the key changes in today’s new Executive Order: Everyone medically able to do so is required to wear a non-medical grade covering over their nose and mouth, while in enclosed public spaces. These can be homemade cloth masks. This requirement takes effect at 11:59 PM Sunday. Workplaces are affected. All businesses conducting in-person work must provide non-medical face coverings to their employees. The order notes that medical-grade face masks should be reserved for critical services requiring those. Landscapers, lawn-service companies, and nurseries can return to work, subject to strict social distancing. Retailers can sell non-necessary supplies via curbside pick-up and by delivery. Big box stores can reopen “closed areas,” like garden centers. Motorboats and golf (without the use of golf carts) are now allowed. People can travel between two residences, but such travel is still strongly discouraged. The full order is here. April 17 – Governor Whitmer this morning issued an Executive Order providing flexibility on pesticide applicator permits, including for commercial applicators. Go here for details. April 15 – As Michigan businesses continue doing all they can to keep people safe, MABA has posted a new fact sheet for agribusinesses. This document helps outline some key steps you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. April 13 – A new Executive Order today provides some specific flexibility on expiring driver’s licenses, CDLs and commercial vehicle registrations. The order temporarily extends: Commercial vehicle registrations, including temporary registrations set to expire on or after March 1, 2020 to June 30; and driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses set to expire between March 1 and May 31, to June 30. People looking to renew their licenses should do so online at Michigan.gov/SOS. The order is here. April 9 – Governor Whitmer extended Michigan’s “stay home” order through April 30. The order includes some changes, including requiring big box stores to cordon off garden centers and some other areas. The order is here. April 3 – MDARD has issued guidance on private applicator license testing; commercial applicator and dealer licenses are not resolved yet. We are told state government continues to work toward a broader solution on licensing. Here is the private applicator announcement. March 30 – Seasonal truck weight limits have been lifted in much of the Lower Peninsula. Effective 6 a.m. Monday, March 30, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) lifted additional seasonal weight restrictions on some state roads in the Lower Peninsula. More information is here. March 25 – FMCSA has indicated that feed and fertilizer are covered under provisions of last week’s Hours of Service exemption. The additional Q/A from the agency is here. Update on March 23 Executive Order On March 23, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order suspending non-essential business and activities. Michigan’s food and agriculture supply chain is identified in the order as “critical infrastructure.” Go here for details and guidance from MABA. In addition, here are template materials for use by agribusinesses in communicating with employees: 1. Template Email to Employees 2. Template In-Transit Letter for Employees Key Resources State of Michigan InformationThe State of Michigan’s employer resources page is available at this link. In addition the State has launched www.michigan.gov/coronavirus with additional information on the response to the virus and best practices for people across the state. Federal InformationFrom a federal perspective we recommend beginning with the CDC. Additional CDC resources are at the end of this page. FAQ’s have been provided by several federal agencies on issues specific to their work, including USDA, FDA, FMCSA and OSHA. Border StatusOn March 18, the U.S. and Canada jointly announced a closure of the border to nonessential traffic; both countries have indicated trade and commerce will continue, including truck transit at points of entry. Further guidance, when available will be posted to this page. Updated border status and wait time information is available from customs authorities for those entering Canada and entering the United States. Social Media Updates are also being shared on Twitter from official sources and leading news outlets. We recommend following: Governor WhitmerMichigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security DivisonU.S. Chamber of CommerceAP Lansing BureauMLive Communications Resources MABA member Michigan Agricultural Commodities has created a communication page that may serve as a good communications starting point for grain handlers and others in our industry. This link is shared courtesy of MAC; if your company has issued guidance you would be willing to share here, please email MABA. Information on COVID-19 How COVID-19 Spreads Symptoms Prevention & Treatment Testing Frequently Asked Questions Information for People at Higher Risk and Special Populations
