The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have issued interim guidance on COVID-19 considerations for meat and poultry processing workers and employers. This Interim Guidance, one of the most comprehensive to date for a specific industry, was developed recognizing that meat and poultry establishments and their operations are critical to the security of the nation’s food supply and is intended by the agencies to facilitate ongoing operations and support while also mitigating the risk of spreading COVID-19.
USDA strongly recommends establishments involved in beef, pork, and poultry processing use the recommendations highlighted in the Interim Guidance document where practical, recognizing that how they are implemented may differ given the unique circumstances of establishments and processing facilities nationwide. Although the Interim Guidance is focused on meat and poultry workers, the recommendations may be of interest to all food sector companies.