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COVID-19 Testing for Seasonal Agricultural Workers
New Testing Initiative in Five Counties
We are pleased to announce that the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Health, and Labor are partnering with local health departments, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Farm Bureau, and our community health partners - in Clinton, Genesee, Orleans, Ulster and Wayne counties - to offer free COVID-19 testing to agricultural workers. These counties were selected for this opportunity due to the number of out-of-state workers coming into them over the next several weeks.
Please read the documents below for an overview of the program, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
Check out this video for answers to frequently asked questions in Spanish, and register for testing here.
Last Updated: 11:45 am, September 30, 2020
What You Need to Know
Governor Cuomo has outlined a plan to reopen New York State. The plan focuses on getting people back to work and easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread of the virus or overwhelming the hospital system. New York will reopen on a regional basis as each region meets the criteria necessary to protect public health as businesses reopen.
Learn more about New York's reopening plan and the agricultural industry:
In addition, please read the guidance that the agricultural industry needs to know. The Department is continuing to monitor developments related to COVID-19, and we will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.
Travel
- New York State has imposed a travel advisory for people coming to New York from certain states. Learn more about which states and what the advisory entails.
Cleaning/Sanitizing
- Everyone should continue to practice social distancing and proper hand washing and sanitizing of their facilities. See the documents below for industry-specific guidance.
Additional information and resources on topics like pets, protocols for food manufacturers and retail food stores, obtaining a business waiver, and more are available below. In addition, please see our guidance document of general resources for the agriculture community.
Resources
Food Retail Businesses
New York State has not restricted food producing farms, farmers’ markets, grocery stores, retail food stores, food pantries, food banks, and food and beverage manufacturing facilities from being open. This includes grocery stores and retail food stores within malls. These operations are exempt under the mass gatherings guidance as essential food supply chain industries.
Resources
Farmers and Farmworkers
Read COVID-19 prevention tips for farmworkers.
Incorporate these procedures to prevent and respond to COVID-19.
Follow this checklist to ensure you are following required protocols.
Read COVID-19 guidance for agritourism businesses.
Farm equipment auctions are permitted with restrictions.
Resources
Horticulture and Landscaping Businesses
Horticulture and landscaping businesses, including greenhouse operations, nurseries, sod farms, and arborists, are now permitted to reopen statewide, in all regions. Please read the interim guidance for horticulture businesses.
Horticulture and landscaping businesses must follow the Non-Food Related Agriculture Summary Guidelines and Read and Affirm Detailed Guidelines for Non-food Agriculture.
Resources
Animal Care
All equine operations are permitted to reopen as part of Phase 1 of New York's NY Forward plan in regions that are designated as allowed to open. These must follow the Non-Food Related Agriculture Summary Guidelines and Read and Affirm Detailed Guidelines for Non-food Agriculture.
Read below for additional guidance for animal care.
All
COVID-19 Translated Guidance