MEMORANDUM

TO:  FPSA Members            

FROM:  Matt Malott, FPSA Chairman and David Seckman, FPSA CEO

RE:  Essential Critical Workers During COVID-19/Key Informational Links

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­As our country comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 16th, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:

“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”

Government officials have repeatedly stated that the food industry is a critical infrastructure industry and that bans and travel curfews should not apply to the food industry. Further, they are working to convey and increase their messaging this important message to state and local governments.  In response to recent discussions with members, we have prepared a letter that you may share with your employees, providing legal justification for business travel as professionals in an industry that the government has deemed critical to this country. This letter, which should be printed on your company’s letterhead, is intended to assist you and your staff as you move around, servicing your customers as they continue to produce their products and feed the supply chain which is of obvious critical importance.  Additional links to key informational materials that members will find helpful are:

https://templatearchive.com/coronavirus-guidance/

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcommunity%2Fhome%2Fcleaning-disinfection.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fspecific-groups%2Fguidance-business-response.html

https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus

As the COVID-19 virus situation further develops, FPSA will continue to provide whatever information and assistance to its membership to help us all move forward. Please consult your legal counsel for more information regarding your company’s compliance obligations. And, you can find additional information/resources on COVID-19 by visiting: https://insights.btlaw.com/14/104/landing-pages/coronavirus-subscribe.asp

Download this Memorandum and Draft Employee Authorization to Travel Letter