February 25, 2021 – Advocacy News
Last week the Department of Health and Human Services issued a news release regarding the ability of food and agriculture workers to begin receiving COVID vaccines on March 1 (https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98158-552087–,00.html). In response to the numerous questions regarding what defines a food and agriculture worker under the current definition, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently issued the following information:
Food and Ag Worker Definition:
The state’s food and agriculture sector is critical to feeding Michiganders, the continuity of the economy and spans a wide range of jobs. Within the sector, workers at the highest risk are those who must work in close proximity to many other people for extended periods of time. In Michigan and across the country, there have been significant outbreaks particularly in the processing of meat, fruit and vegetable processing, and in the harvesting of some crops. Therefore, our priority is on:
- Food processing workers including especially meat processing and meatpacking facilities; processing of fruit and vegetables; dairy processing; animal feed manufacturing; food and animal feed ingredient manufacturing; beverage production; and the production of food packaging.
- Farmers and farmworkers, including migrant and seasonal workers, involved in raising, cultivating, harvesting, packing, storing, and distributing agricultural commodities, and who are by the nature of their work in close proximity and contact with other people.
MDARD is doing its best to keep our stakeholders up to speed where possible. With the limited supply of vaccines currently available, these definitions are very important. We will continue to work with DHHS and local public health to help clarify and inform this year’s testing and vaccination efforts.
Please contact the Chamber with any questions at info@michamber.com.