Agricultural Workers
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COVID-19 Testing for Agricultural Workers
Xổ số muôn nămCOVID-19 can spread quickly in crowded settings, especially congregate living settings and indoor settings without social distancing. Throughout the pandemic, substantial outbreaks have occurred in migrant housing camps and food and beverage manufacturing or processing facilities.
Xổ số muôn nămThese outbreaks create severe risks for workers but also create a significant risk of COVID-19 spread in the community.
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Xổ số muôn nămTo help protect the health and safety of Michigan’s agricultural and food processing employees, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon has issued an Emergency Order requiring routine COVID-19 testing.
The order makes Michigan a national leader in COVID-19 safety protections for agricultural and migrant workers, building on Executive Orders from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requiring workplace safety measures in meat and poultry processing plans and safe housing for COVID positive migrant workers.
The full emergency order includes complete information about test requirements, roles and responsibilities of the State of Michigan and agricultural employers, as well as testing requirements for workers and more.
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The Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) created a list of questions and answers to respond to potential questions about the order that may arise during implementation MDHHS also established detailed guidance for employers on implementation of a testing plan.
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MDHHS requires some agricultural employers with over 20 employees on-site at a time to provide COVID-19 testing as follows:
- One-time baseline testing of all workers
- Testing of all new workers prior to any in-person work
- Testing of any worker with symptoms or exposure
Xổ số muôn nămThese agricultural employers are:
- Any employer of migrant or seasonal workers
- Meat, poultry, and egg processing facilities
- Greenhouses
There are several options to complete testing, including creating a testing program managed by the employer, requesting state assistance, and utilizing testing resources in the general community. MDHHS created a testing plan template that was due by August 10, 2020.
MDHHS has issued guidance along with the Public Health Order on how employers can complete required testing.
Fillable Flyers to Promote Testing Locations and Information
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MDHHS issued guidanceXổ số muôn năm along with the Public Health Order on how employers can complete required testing, including financial implications and options for assistance like grants, insurance coverage, or requesting state assistance.
Employers and housing operators seeking assistance should submit a request to MDHHS at MDHHS-Migrant-Affairs@michigan.gov using the request template by August 10, 2020.
Xổ số muôn nămThe State of Michigan will provide testing support as capacity allows. The state retains sole discretion to determine whether to fulfill requests for assistance. The state may alternatively direct requestors to testing resources available through medical providers and in the community.
Employers and housing operators are responsible in the first instance for financial costs resulting from testing, but they may seek reimbursement from health insurance where applicable and may seek state assistance to conduct testing.
Producers and processors are also eligible to apply for grants to cover the costs (i.e. on-site testing, with full plant or individual testing at certified sites, including costs for staffing/medical personnel to administer tests and personal protection equipment for testing sites) associated with COVID-19 testing. .
Xổ số muôn nămMany agricultural workers, including H-2A workers and undocumented individuals, may be eligible for Emergency Services Only (ESO) Medicaid, which covers the costs of COVID-19 testing. Another option for covering testing costs is assisting workers in applying for this insurance coverage and billing testing for eligible employees to insurance.
Employers and housing operators may not pass costs along to employees, including costs uncovered by health insurance, whether in the form of direct charges or indirect charges, fees, compensation changes, or other financial means.
Xổ số muôn nămMDHHS created communication resources for employers to use to inform employees about upcoming testing and precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
Spanish | Arabic | Simplified Chinese | Burmese | Haitian Creole | BengaliFillable Flyers to Promote Testing Locations and Information
Spanish | Arabic | Simplified Chinese | Burmese | Haitian Creole | French | | SwahiliYou Were Tested for COVID-19. Now What? (Tips and directions after a test)
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