Aug 24, 2020

Baseline testing of Michigan workers has Aug. 24 deadline

The Michigan departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Agriculture and Rural Development are reminding employers that the Public Health Order mandating baseline testing for agricultural and food processing workers has a deadline of Monday, Aug. 24.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon issued the Order on Aug. 3 requiring COVID-19 testing for agricultural and food processing employees. Employers who are in the MDHHS queue for testing will be considered on track for compliance.  

Following Aug. 24, agricultural and food processing employers subject to the Public Health Order are still required to provide testing for workers regardless of race or ethnicity including but not limited to:

• All newly arriving workers.
• All symptomatic workers. 

The order requires migrant housing camp operators to provide COVID-19 testing as follows:

• One-time baseline testing of all residents ages 18 and over.
• Testing of all new residents with 48 hours of arrival, with separate housing for newly arriving residents for 14 days and a second test 10 – 14 days after arrival.
• Testing of any resident with symptoms or exposure. 

Employers of migrant or seasonal workers, meat, poultry and egg processing facilities and greenhouses with over 20 employees on-site at a time to provide COVID-19 testing as follows:

• One-time baseline testing of all workers.
• Testing of all new workers prior to any in-person work.
• Testing of any worker with symptoms or exposure.

State and federal resources for testing, isolation housing and other essential needs will remain available throughout the growing season. To access state and federal resources, employers must make their request by emailing [email protected]. 

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 website, including a guidance document for employers providing step-by-step information on how employers can complete testing and highlighting resources including grant funding and insurance coverage through Medicaid that can provide financial support for testing.  

Failure to comply with this order may result in the issuance of a civil monetary penalty under the authority of MCL 333.2262.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.