Minnesota Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Meatpacking Industry Amid Closures

As the number of meatpacking industry workers infected with coronavirus (COVID-19) grows and facility closures increase, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (MDLI) published new health and safety guidance for the meatpacking sector. MDLI Commissioner Nancy Leppink says the guidance “will help ensure Minnesota's meatpacking sector has appropriate measures in place to protect the safety of their employees and continue producing the food necessary to keep our state and nation fed."

MDLI’s “COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for the Meatpacking Industry” include best practices for employee and visitor screening, cleaning and disinfection, distancing, and the use personal protective equipment and facial coverings. In addition, DLI makes a number of recommendations for employment and human resource items, such as allowing flexibility on the use and accrual of paid time off, waiving co-pays on medical appointments for COVID-19 related treatment, and waiving waiting periods for short-term disability benefits for workers who are sick with COVID-19.

Stoel Rives has resources available for employers attempting to implement the procedures outlined in DLI’s guidance, including an FAQ document that discusses some of the obligations employers may have if employees become sick with COVID-19. If you have questions regarding the impacts of COVID-19 to your business, please contact us.