COVID-19 Update April 2, 2020: What Does the Office of the Governor Executive Order 20-91 Mean for Landscape Companies?

by | Apr 2, 2020 | COVID-19 Updates, Landscape, Regulatory, Safety

Following the issuance of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91 we have had a lot of questions from the Green Industry concerned about their status as essential employees. As noted in the excerpt below from the State of Florida Office of the Governor Executive Order Number 20-91 (Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency)  landscapers are included under the Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services Category.

PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues.

  • Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC Technicians, landscapers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings such as hospitals, senior living facilities, any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response.

  • Workers who support, such as road and line clearing, to ensure the availability of and access to needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications.

  • Support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste and hazardous waste, including landfill operations.

  • Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential dams, locks and levees.

  • Workers who support the inspection and maintenance of aids to navigation, and other government provided services that ensure continued maritime commerce.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recommends that all essential employees carry a letter from their employer that describes their role as an essential employee.The Governor’s Office has provided a template that can be found at the following link. Download and modify to fit your business role.  http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/nfrecsv/files/2020/03/2020-04-01-Essential-Worker-Movement-Letter-DRAFT-2.0-2.pdf

Please be mindful that although the landscape industry can continue working, it is imperative that all citizens follow CDC recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These can be found here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

In addition to this resource, consider incorporating recommendations from The Urban Ag Council of Georgia where appropriate.

*Stagger start times so that each manager will only work with their team.  No more than 5-person crew.
* Employees are required to keep 8-foot separation between colleagues and/or any other people.  Focus on social and work distancing.
*No more than 2 people per single cab truck and 4 people per crew cab truck (exceptions are made for employees who need to use personal vehicles to accomplish this).
*Wear dust masks when in vehicle and outside.
*Trucks are to be thoroughly cleaned at the end of every day.
*Crew leaders must clock in their crew.  Do not pass phone around for them to clock-in.
*Daily – every employee (office and field) is screened with questions before starting work.

  1. Do you currently have a fever? Or have you had a fever in the last week?
  2. Do you have a cough?
  3. Do you have shortness of breath?
  4. Do you have vomiting/nausea?
  5. Do you have diarrhea or stomach issues?
  6. Have you been in contact with anyone with a confirmed or suspected case of the COVID-19?

Any employee that answers yes to any question will be asked to return home and HR will be notified to receive additional instructions.

Please be safe and let us know if we can assist in any way.

Your UF/IFAS Panhandle Commercial Horticulture Team

Bay – Julie McConnell juliebmcconnell@ufl.edu
Escambia – Beth Bolles bbolles@ufl.edu
Okaloosa – Sheila Dunning sdunning@ufl.edu
Santa Rosa – Matt Lollar mlollar@ufl.edu
Walton – Evan Anderson eanderson350@ufl.edu
Washington – Matt Orwat mjorwat@ufl.edu
Calhoun – Daniel Leonard d.leonard@ufl.edu
Leon – Mark Tancig tancig00@ufl.edu

Julie McConnell
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