CLA: Statewide Stay At Home Order and Agriculture
Starting Thursday, March 26, 2020 the Governor issued a statewide order for Coloradans to stay at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The order directs all Coloradans to stay at home, subject to limited exceptions such as obtaining food and other household necessities, going to and from work at critical businesses, seeking medical care, caring for dependents or pets, or caring for a vulnerable person in another location.
Agriculture is designated as a critical business as well as critical manufacturing.
- Critical Infrastructure includes: “Food and plant cultivation, including farming crops, livestock, food processing and manufacturing, animal feed and feed products, rendering, commodity sales, and any other work critical to the operation of any component of the food supply chain.”
- Critical Healthcare Operations include veterinary care and livestock services. There remains a limit on elective veterinary procedures to ensure sufficient PPE for human care.
- Food and Agriculture supply chain items are included in Critical Manufacturing, including food processing for all foods and beverages; chemicals; medical equipment; and all other supporting business.
- Farm and produce stands, and “establishments engaged in the retail sale of food,” are included in the Critical Retail section. This includes farmers markets. This section also includes all agricultural supply businesses.
- Critical Services include important aspects of the Food and Agriculture supply chain, including storage and distribution.
Many counties are issuing their own local stay-at-home order that may differ from the state order. Please watch for announcements from your county.
Below are links to resources for employers.
Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) was formed in 1998 through a restructuring of the then 43-year-old Colorado Cattle Feeders Association (CCFA). CLA members are cattle and sheep feeders, cow/calf producers, dairy farmers, swine operations, and industry partners. CLA works on behalf of its members in the regulatory and legislative arenas in Colorado. For more information about CLA visit www.coloradolivestock.org