In accordance with Whitmer’s EO 2020-21, and to protect the public health, the following components of the Michigan food and agriculture sector are deemed essential:

• Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies, and other retail that sells food and beverage products.
• Workers supporting and operating gasoline stations.
• Restaurant carry-out and quick-serve food operations; carry-out and delivery food employees.
• Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees including those employed in food processing facilities (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.); livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging.
• Farm workers including those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically.
• Workers who care for animals at veterinary clinics, animal shelters and research facilities. Veterinary clinics should only be performing essential life-saving procedures; all other non-essential procedures should be delayed.
• Farm workers and support service workers including those who plant, grow, and harvest agricultural commodities; commodity inspections; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs.
• Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers, and blockchain managers.
• Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail.
• Company cafeterias, specifically in-plant cafeterias, used to feed employees.
• Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education.
• Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments.
• Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids.
• Animal agriculture workers including those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants; and associated regulatory and government workforce.
• Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products.
• Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution.

MDARD has established an email address for industry, stakeholders, and consumers to submit questions and/or get clarification on specific areas of concern. MDARD-COVID19@michigan.gov

From <https://www.michiganfarmnews.com/ag-employers-tips-to-comply-with-michigan-s-stay-home-stay-safe-order-executive-order>

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please seek legal counsel for advice relevant to your situation.