This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and AAMP will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance. The safety and well-being of our members is our top priority.
As of today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), notes the following in terms of risk assessment:
- For most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.
- People in places where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure, with increase in risk dependent on the location.
- Health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
- Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
- Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure, with increase in risk dependent on the location. The CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to several countries. Before traveling, consult travel guidance from the CDC.
- TrackCorona
- Provides up-to-date information about the spread of the virus, including infection and mortality rates, recovery rates and locations by country.
EDUCATION
Free Webinar – Coping With COVID-19: Business Strategies for Small Meat Processors (Previously recorded – Available until May 5, 2021)
- Join Independent Processor (IP) and the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) in an exclusive webinar about how small businesses can maintain success during the Coronavirus pandemic. Chris Young, AAMP executive director, will discuss the latest developments in the meat industry, FSIS inspector interactions, and how meat markets should be handling their processing and retail operations. In addition, Rick Reams, president of AAMP and owner of RJ’s Meats/K’Nack, will detail his experiences as a processor and how he has kept business running. Rick Alaniz, of Alaniz Law & Associates, will discuss what the Coronavirus Response Act means for small processors and other labor law topics.
- Sponsored by PS Seasoning/Pro Smoker & Fusion Tech
LABOR LAW NEWS (Provided by Alaniz Law & Associates)
- New! An unsettled workforce
- Changes in CDC Criteria for Return to Work (July 29, 2020)
- Online School and Emergency FMLA (July 29, 2020)
- The Post Pandemic Workplace (July 1, 2020)
- Post-Pandemic Workplace Fallout (June 1, 2020)
- OSHA’s Coronavirus Reporting Rules (May 20, 2020)
- Supervisor, Liability, and the Coronavirus (April 21, 2020)
- FFCRA Small Business Exemption Update (April 14, 2020)
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Lawsuits Are Coming (April 14, 2020)
- COVID-19 Leave Request Form (Word Document)
- Form employers can use for when an employee requests leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
- Temperature Screen Guidelines
- Documentation Requirements for IRS Tax Credits for FFCRA Leave
- Paid Sick Leave/FMLA Update (March 31, 2020)
- Paid Sick Leave Law Update (March 20, 2020)
- Employee Travel Letter (Word Document)
- Give to employees to use in areas where there are curfews or travel restrictions. The employee should have this with them and present it to authorities, if stopped. Update the form with your company information/logo (see highlighted yellow areas in document).
- President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America (Print and bring along with travel letter)
- HR 6201: Paid Sick Leave Update (March 18, 2020)
- Sample Workplace Policy (How do I handle employees and company policies during this time?)
- What do I do if an employee tests positive for COVID-19? (March 19, 2020)
- HR 6201: What does it mean for my business? (March 16, 2020)
FOOD SAFETY
- FSIS & Industry – Working Together to Keep Supply Lines Full (April 1, 2020)
- Small Plants & Inspection Personnel (March 25, 2020)
- Essential Strategies for Food Safety During the COVID-19 Virus (Webinar presentation from We R Food Safety)
- USDA Guidance on COVID-19 Health Questionnaires (March 20, 2020) – This is a change in policy by FSIS. Plants can now ask inspection personnel questions about their health during this time.
INDUSTRY GUIDANCE & DIRECTIVES
- White House Guidance
- President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America (30 Days to Slow the Spread)
- CDC Guidance
- USDA-FSIS: Coronavirus Updates
- FDA: Food Safety & the Coronavirus
- OSHA: Coronavirus Overview
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Pandemic influenza preparedness and response guidance document
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace & The Americans with Disabilities Act
- Department of Homeland Security – Pandemic Ready
- IRS: Coronavirus Tax Relief
- The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by COVID-19.
- Best Practices for Controlling COVID-19 in Small Business Meat Processors in Nebraska
- Provided by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (PDF Download)
SMALL BUSINESS PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
- Small Business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
- Paycheck Protection Program Information Sheet
- The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. All loan terms will be the same for everyone.
- Final Borrower Application Form
- Lender Electronic Data Form
- Paycheck Protection Program – Interim Final Rule
TRAINING VIDEOS
- Personal Hygiene Training Video (Length: 8:47)
NICHE MEAT PROCESSOR ASSISTANCE NETWORK
Want to sell online right now? Here are some options for online sales platforms for food, most of which also process payments. Not all of them are well equipped to sell meat, so you need to do your research when picking one. They also charge different fees, such as a % of sales or a set monthly fee.
NEWS
- What does the president’s executive order mean for my business? (April 30, 2020)
- OSHA and CDC Issue Interim Guidance to Protect Workers in Meatpacking and Processing Industries (April 26, 2020)
- Treasury, IRS launch new tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payments (April 10, 2020)
- FSIS & Industry – Working Together to Keep Supply Lines Full (April 1, 2020)
- Economic impact payments: What you need to know (March 30, 2020)
- USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue salutes the heroes in the U.S. food supply chain (March 20, 2020)
- Homeland Security Recognizes Agriculture as Critical Industry (March 19, 2020)
- USDA Statement to Industry (March 16, 2020)
- AAMP issues statement to US senators regarding H.R. 6201 (March 17, 2020)
- AAMP executive director provides update regarding COVID-19 (March 16, 2020)
- Sec. Perdue Statement on President Trump’s Declaration of National Emergency Regarding COVID-19 (March 13, 2020)
- IRS: High-deductible health plans can cover Coronavirus costs (March 11, 2020)
- AAMP Statement on Coronavirus (March 10, 2020)