Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) on Monday signed an emergency order to mandate coronavirus testing of all agricultural and food processing workers.
Under the emergency order, issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), agricultural employers with more than 20 workers on site at a time must ensure testing of its entire current workforce. The order applies to meat and poultry processing plants.
Employers must complete a plan by August 10 for how they will conduct testing. The testing must be implemented as soon as practicable, but no later than August 24.
MDHHS said companies have several options for completing the mandatory testing, including contracting with a medical provider to arrange a testing program or requesting state assistance. The state of Michigan is offering grants to mitigate costs.
As of now, no other states have required universal testing of agricultural workers.
In July, Governor Whitmer also signed an executive order requiring personal protective equipment for employees at meat and poultry processing plants.
