Monterey County agencies release advisory for agricultural worker protection during coronavirus outbreak
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Several Monterey County agencies have come together to endorse a model advisory for agricultural worker protections during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, Monterey County issued a Shelter in Place order that requires residents to leave their homes only for essential services and activities. Agriculture is considered an essential business, so it is exempt.
The agencies said that because of the critical role farm workers play in agriculture, local elected and agriculture leaders put together safety measures to help their employees. Monterey County said it is the first California county to create these protections for agricultural and cannabis industries.
All of the protocols are voluntary, but associations are encouraging members to implement them at worksites.
The industry will be enhance food safety guidelines already in place to decrease the spread and lower the impact of coronavirus in the workplace. The agencies said their goals are:
- Preventing and reducing disease transmission among staff
- Protecting people at higher risk for complications
- Maintaining business operations
- minimizing effects on other parts of their supply chain
"We knew that we needed to do more to protect our farmworkers as they are valued and do such critical work to ensure a stable food supply during this crisis," said Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo. "With these greater measures that are supported by our agriculture and cannabis industries, we are leading and showing that we are doing all we can do to better ensure their health and safety."
The Monterey County Agriculture Commissioner's Office, Supervisor Luis Alejo, Supervizor Chris Lopez, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, the Monterey County Farm Bureau, the Monterey County Vinters and Growers Association, the Coastal Growers Association and the California Strawberry Commission worked together to release it.
Read the full advisory below:
