COVID-19 Resource Library
The health, safety and well-being of our egg farmers, your employees and allied industry supporters are important to your UEP staff and consultants. This is an unprecedented time and the COVID-19 situation is evolving each day. We want to remind you that your UEP team is here to support you and your operations in any way. We have assembled these resources to assist you in effectively preparing and responding and will update this page as needed. It’s important to remember, however, that we are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, nor are we human resources or public health experts, and although we are closely monitoring regulatory and political conversations around COVID-19, we are not regulators. We encourage you as you’re using these materials to consult with your trusted business partners in your decision-making. As always, we wish you well, and please contact UEP if we can further assist you.
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UEP Response to COVID-19
UEP Amicus Brief (Filed November 23)
Recent Updates
After Identifying Gaps in Previous Aid, USDA Announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’ to Distribute Resources More Equitably (March 24, 2021)
Coronavirus Relief Resources from Cornerstone (March 15, 2021)
Legislative Update from Cornerstone (March 15, 2021)
COVID-19 Update: USDA, FDA Underscore Current Epidemiologic and Scientific Information Indicating No Transmission of COVID-19 Through Food or Food Packaging (February 18, 2021)
COVID-19 Information on COVID-19 Vaccine
CDC Vaccine Additional Links (February 3, 2021)
List of state health departments for more information on plans for COVID-19 vaccination.
Vaccine roll-out recommendations
Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC CDC’s updated guidance was revised to allow for second dose administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval. CDC is not advocating for people to delay getting their second dose, but the data from clinical trials support this range.
Vaccine IT Overview
In a workplace, CDC recommends all employees wear masks in accordance with CDC and OSHA guidance as well as any state or local requirements. This applies if the hazard assessment has determined that they do not require PPE, such as a respirator or medical facemask for protection.
Information on new variants
COVID data tracker: includes latest case counts as well as data on overall vaccine delivery and administration.
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started (January 21, 2021)
Categories of Essential Workers | COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC|
Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel | CDC – note, this references healthcare personnel but applies to other sectors vaccinating their employees as well
“Talking vaccines: The new communications hurdle for employers.” (January 13) On Dec. 16, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission affirmed that businesses and employers may require employees to receive a vaccination as a condition of continued employment and can require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Employees who refuse to be vaccinated can be banned from the workplace. UEP PR Consultant Hinda Mitchell provides recommendations on creating an employee communication plan to encourage vaccinations.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Policy Update ( January 6, 2021)
SBA, in consultation with the Treasury Department, has recently released additional PPP guidance:
- SBA Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns (Released 1/6/2021)
- Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act (Released 1/6/2021)
- Interim Final Rule on Second Draw Loans (Released 1/6/2021)
For more information and updates, visit SBA.gov/PPP or Treasury.gov/CARES
Request for priority to food and agricultural workers in making COVID-19 vaccines available
Biden Transition Covid Vaccine Letter
National Governors Association Covid Vaccine Letter
Sample Script for Outreach to Governors or State Health Officials and Talking Points
Talking Points – COVID Vaccinations for Front Line Food & Agricultural Workers
Main Street Lending Program Forms and Agreements
The Federal Reserve has announced that it is establishing a Main Street Lending Program (Program) to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CDC and OSHA Resources
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started (January 21, 2021)
Categories of Essential Workers | COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC|
Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel | CDC – note, this references healthcare personnel but applies to other sectors vaccinating their employees as well
Agriculture Workers and Employers, Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor (June 1)
Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers, Interim Guidance from CDC and the Occupational Safety and (OSHA) (April 26)
CDC Private Sector Call: Update on the COVID-19 Response on Monday, April 6, 2020. Click here for the call recording.
CDC Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings (April 4)
CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for U.S. Community Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus (Revised April 1)
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
EPA Guidance
Carcass Management of Non-Diseased Animals in Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak (June 9)
US EPA Changes its Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program Policies (March 26)
EPA no action assurance letter (March 20)
Food Safety
WHO COVID-19 and food safety: guidance for food businesses (April 7)
Coronavirus and Food (March 13)
COVID-19 effect on poultry and eggs from Ohio State University (March 13)
Human Resources
“Talking vaccines: The new communications hurdle for employers.” (January 13, 2021) On Dec. 16, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission affirmed that businesses and employers may require employees to receive a vaccination as a condition of continued employment and can require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Employees who refuse to be vaccinated can be banned from the workplace. UEP PR Consultant Hinda Mitchell provides recommendations on creating an employee communication plan to encourage vaccinations.
Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Updated May 18)
US DOL OFFICE OF FOREIGN LABOR CERTIFICATION COVID-19 H2A Guidance (April 9)
CISA Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Updated March 28)
H-2A Update: State Department Increases Visa Waiver Capability (March 26)
Food Industry Recommended Protocols When Employee/Customer Tests Positive for COVID-19 (March 25)
U.S. DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification COVID-19 FAQs (March 20)
Contingency Planning Guidance (March 20)
Sample Essential Agriculture Worker Card English and Spanish (March 25)
Draft Letter to Essential Employees (March 20)
Legislative
Coronavirus Relief Resources from Cornerstone (March 15, 2021)
Legislative Update from Cornerstone (March 15, 2021)
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Policy Update ( January 6, 2021)
SBA, in consultation with the Treasury Department, has recently released additional PPP guidance:
- SBA Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns (Released 1/6/2021)
- Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act (Released 1/6/2021)
- Interim Final Rule on Second Draw Loans (Released 1/6/2021)
For more information and updates, visit SBA.gov/PPP or Treasury.gov/CARES
Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness FAQs (August 3)
Senate passes PPP Bill (June 3)
Paycheck Protection Loan Forgiveness Application
Request to Congress for Legal Safe Harbor for Essential Industries (May 3)
CARES ACT Highlights (March 25)
PR/Media
Employee Positive Talking Points and Statement
Regulatory
Supply chain Issues – FDA is directing supply chain issues to FEMA, while USDA has set up its own email. If there are serious issues UEP staff advises contacting both agencies.
USDA: foodsupplychain@usda.gov.
FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center nbeoc@fema.dhs.gov
Regulatory – State Guidance and Orders
Michigan Emergency Order for Mandatory Testing, Preventative Measures, and Safe Housing for Agricultural Workers (August 3)
MDHHS Issues Order Requiring Testing of Agricultural and Food Processing Employees to Protect Health and Safety of Workers, Community Press Release (August 3)
MDHHS Agricultural Employer Testing Public Health Order Guidance (August 3)
Verified states allowing bulk sales of eggs with placard labeling (May 1)
California Guidance: COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees (April 3)
Regulatory – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Extension and Modification of the Modified Expanded Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 Under 49 CFR § 390.25 (August 11)
Regulatory – FDA Guidance
FDA and OSHA Team Up to Publish Checklist to Assist Food Industry During COVID-19 (August 19)
FDA Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updated FAQ
How do I maintain social distancing in my food production/processing facility and food retail establishment where employees typically work within close distances? (April 5)
FDA Provides Temporary Flexibility Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food (March 26)
FDA Food Safety and COVID-19 Q&A (March 20)
Are workers in the human and animal food and feed sectors considered part of the essential critical infrastructure workforce?
Yes, in a guidance issued by Department of Homeland Security on March 19 Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19, workers in the Food and Agriculture sectors – agricultural production, food processing, distribution, retail and foodservice and allied industries – are named as essential critical infrastructure workers. Promoting the ability of our workers within the food and agriculture industry to continue to work during periods of community restrictions, social distances, and closure orders, among others, is crucial to community continuity and community resilience.
Where should I send questions if we are having problems moving food or getting food through areas that have curfews and restrictions because of the coronavirus?
If you are experiencing issues regarding your supply chain, delivery of goods, or business continuity, please contact the FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center at NBEOC@fema.dhs.gov. This is a 24/7 operation and they can assist in directing your inquiry to the proper contact.
Regulatory – FEMA Guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting (April 22)
Regulatory – USDA Guidance
After Identifying Gaps in Previous Aid, USDA Announces ‘Pandemic Assistance for Producers’ to Distribute Resources More Equitably (March 24, 2021)
USDA Announces Continuation of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, Fifth Round of Food Purchases (January 4, 2021)
Eggs and egg products are eligible. However, USDA limiting this round to previously approved vendors.
USDA Announces Fourth Round of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program (October 23) Liquid eggs, hard-cooked eggs, and shell eggs remain eligible.
USDA to Provide Additional Direct Assistance to Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by the Coronavirus (September 18)
Trump Administration Announces Additional $1 billion for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program (August 25)
USDA Announces More Eligible Commodities for CFAP with Liquid and Frozen Egg Products Added (August 11)
Liquid and frozen egg payment rates
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program online application
General information on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Egg and Egg Products Eligible for USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program
APHIS Livestock Coordination Center
Provides support for poultry operations that may have to depopulate and dispose of carcasses due to COVID-19 challenges. Should assistance be needed, NRCS has EQIP resources available to help poultry producers.
Q: Do poultry operations qualify for assistance in dealing with the disposal of animal carcasses from depopulation efforts as a result of plant closures or production reductions?
A: During this COVID-19 pandemic, poultry operations may qualify for assistance through EQIP. Producers need to verify that they meet eligibility requirements to apply for EQIP (e.g. AGI, conservation compliance, etc.). Producers also must have control of land for the planned land unit on which the practice applies. If qualification requirements are met, producers must file both an application and approved early start waiver request with the local NRCS field office prior to disposal of the animals. Several disposal scenarios options would be applicable to qualifying poultry operations. Payment limitations may come into play.
COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (April 13)
FSIS NOTICE: USE OF PROTECTIVE FACE COVERINGS TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 (April 9)
Notice to USDA Employees About Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (April 4)
USDA Provides Flexibility to Shell Egg Industry to Shift Supply from Foodservice to Retail Outlets (March 26)
AMS Information on grading (3/26/20)
Letter from Jennifer Porter, Deputy Administrator
USDA AMS Workforce Guidance on Travel
Additional Records Needed with Reduced USDA Presence
Company Letter of Guarantee
U.S. Department of Agriculture Operations Allowed to Operate During Shelter in Residence (March 25)
USDA Guidance on COVID-19 Health Questionnaires (March 20)
USDA Service Centers Taking Proactive Measures to Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus (March 20)
Shell Egg Surveillance Inspections Suspension (March 19)
USDA Joint statement from AMS, APHIS, FSIS (March 16)
State Updates
Top Ten Egg Producing States COVID-19 Updates (February 23, 2021)
Other
“What we know about avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in poultry — and how that knowledge relates to the virus causing COVID-19 in humans,” by Dr. Mark Jackson from the University of Georgia.