Michigan Orders Coronavirus Testing For Agricultural Workers

MICHIGAN — The state of Michigan has ordered coronavirus testing for many agricultural and migrant workers citing a series of outbreaks.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon issued an emergency order requiring the testing for agricultural and food processing employees Monday.

“The men and women who work in our fields and food processing plants are at particular risk for COVID-19, and they need and deserve protection,” Gordon said. “Today’s order will help to reduce the spread of COVID in communities across Michigan and reduce the pandemic’s disparate impact on Latinos.”

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The state has reported 11 outbreaks of the coronavirus in farms and food processing plants across Michigan. The MDHHS said Latinos are 5 percent of Michigan’s population but represent 11 percent of coronavirus cases in which the individual’s ethnicity is identified.

The order requires migrant housing camp operators to provide testing for the coronavirus for all residents over 18 years of age; all new residents within 48 hours of their arrival; separate housing for new arrivals; and testing of anyone with symptoms or exposure.

Migrant or seasonal worker employers, meat, poultry and egg processing facilities, and greenhouses with over 20 employees on-site at a time are required to provide coronavirus testing to all workers, all new workers prior to any in-person work and testing of anyone with symptoms or exposure.

“The department will work with employers and housing operators to ensure timely reporting of testing data and access to PPE so that together we can prevent further viral spread,” Gordon said.

On July 28, the American Farm Bureau Federation and 30 U.S. produce industry organizations urged Congress to provide additional resources to assist growers in protecting their workforce from the coronavirus.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the organizations requested additional access and resources for farmers to allow testing for farmworkers, priority access to PPE supplies and access to vaccine and/or medicines once available.

“Vital to these efforts have been the hardworking, skilled men and women who grow, harvest and ship our food – the farmworkers,” the letter stated. “Collectively, we represent farmers who grow the majority of our nation’s fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. They place the highest priority on the health and safety of their employees, taking extraordinary measures to insulate their employees from the risks of exposure to COVID-19.”

Employers and housing operators must complete a plan by Aug. 10 for how they will conduct testing in compliance with this order, the state said. Completion of baseline testing and implementation of ongoing testing is required no later than Aug. 24.

Failure to comply with this order may result in the issuance of a fine, according to the state.