March 25, 2020
Dear Mr. President, Governors, Mayors and other local elected officials:
We recognize and appreciate the aggressive steps that are being taken to respond to the threats of the COVID-19 virus. We represent the manufacturers, distributors and supply chain of the products and raw
materials that ensure public health and safety during these times of a pandemic. Protecting our workforce, their families and our communities are our top priorities.
Unfortunately, there are well-intentioned actions being taken at the state and local levels that may fundamentally impede or otherwise threaten the supply of critical products. It is imperative that the federal, state and local governments come together with uniform definitions of “critical infrastructure” making clear what manufacturers must continue to operate, as well as take seriously the need to transport those products and have the workforce available to keep operations running. Curfews that do not consider transportation and workforce needs could quickly become significant barriers to not only supply chains, but also actual supplies.
Accordingly, we are asking for the following actions to be
coordinated in the most expedient fashion:
- States should agree to directly adopt the definition of “critical infrastructure” as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a floor and commit to keep these critical manufacturing facilities open across the nation. Follow guidance from the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to identify essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response. Attempt to coordinate all states and localities to achieve as uniform a definition and consistent application as possible, recognizing the need for states or localities to provide broader definitions of critical infrastructure based on their own state or local circumstances.
- Commit to not creating any artificial barriers to the transportation of these products and work in a coordinated fashion to ensure the safe shipment of goods from manufacturing facilities to
retailers. - Ensure that any curfews do not impede a healthy workforce from getting to and from manufacturing facilities and retailers during all necessary hours of operation.
As you consider national, statewide or local measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, we respectfully request that our industries be consistently designated essential and permitted to maintain operations throughout this challenging time, using the DHS definition as a minimum guide to the fullest extent practicable.
Our member companies are proud to support the ongoing national response to COVID-19. We will continue to act responsibly and limit the spread of the virus at our facilities. We ask that those facilities, workforces and their supply chains continue to operate uninterrupted so that we may provide the strongest possible response for the American public.
Sincerely,
| Adhesive and Sealant Council Agricultural Retailers Association Aluminum Association American Boiler Manufacturers Association American Chemistry Council American Cleaning Institute American Coatings Association, Inc. American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute American Foundry Society American Frozen Food Institute American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers American Hardwood Export Council American Mold Builders Association American Pet Products Association American Petroleum Institute American Spice Trade Association American Supply Association American Walnut Manufacturers Association American Wood Council AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association Beer Institute Biotechnology Innovation Organization Can Manufacturers Institute Compressed Gas Association, Inc. Consumer Brands Association Consumer Healthcare Products Association Corn Refiners Association Decorative Hardwood Association Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. Empire State Forest Products Association EPS Industry Alliance Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association |
Flexible Packaging Association Fragrance Creators Association Glass Packaging Institute Global Cold Chain Alliance Hardwood Federation Hardwood Manufacturers Association Household & Commercial Products Association INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry Independent Lubricant Manufacturers AssociationIndependent Petroleum Association of America Industrial Fasteners Institute Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries International Association of Color Manufacturers International Foodservice Distributors Association International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration International Wood Products Association IPC Kentucky Forest Industries Association Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association Methanol Institute Missouri Forest Products Association National Association for Surface Finishing National Association of Chain Drug Stores National Association of Chemical Distributors National Association of Manufacturers National Automatic Merchandising Association National Beer Wholesalers Association National Confectioners Association National Electrical Manufacturers Association National Grocers Association National Hardwood Lumber Association National Lime Association National Mining Association National Oilseed Processors Association National Pest Management Association National Propane Gas Association National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. |
National Tooling and Machining Association National Turkey Federation National Waste & Recycling Association National Wooden Pallet & Container Association National Wood Flooring Association North American Die Casting Association North American Meat Institute North Carolina Forestry Association Northeastern Loggers Association Pennsylvania Forest Products Association Personal Care Products Council Pet Food Institute Pet Industry Distributors Association Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association Plastics Industry Association Plumbing Manufacturers International Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Portland Cement Association Precision Machined Products Association Precision Metalforming Association PVC Pipe Association Railway Tie Association Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association Single Ply Roofing Industry SNAC International Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute Tennessee Forestry Association Travel Goods Association Treated Wood Council United Fresh Produce Association U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association Vinyl Institute Vinyl Siding Institute Virginia Forestry Association Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition Western Hardwood Association Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Wood Component Manufacturers Association World Pet Association |
Categorized in: COVID-19/Coronavirus