Date: March 24, 2020

Re: COVID-19 Updates

Yesterday, PA Governor Tom Wolf issued a “stay at home” order for several counties in the commonwealth. Our manufacturing, laboratory, logistics and office facilities are all located in Berks County, which is not included in the order.

The order states that “all public or private gatherings of any number of people outside of a single household or living unit are prohibited.”

The order prohibits almost all social gatherings in these counties.

The order, should it include Berks County in the future, will not impact BCI’s operations.

A prior order by the governor identified BCI’s operations as a life sustaining business. A list, provided by the state, is based on NAICS codes. Both our manufacturing and warehousing facilities’ codes are approved for continued business.

In addition, on March 16th the President issued COVID-19 guidance stating that: “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare serves and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) developed an initial list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers”.

BCI falls under the advisory in two ways:

  • Critical Manufacturing – “chemical manufacturing” is included with this section.
  • Defense Industrial Base – Subcontractors who provide materials and services to companies under contract with the Department of Defense (DOD) are referenced. BCI supplies both several direct or subcontracted suppliers to the DOD.

We will continue to provide you with updates as the ever-changing landscape continues.

We will continue to monitor guidance from the federal, state and local authorities to maintain our worker’s health and safety while working to protect our economic and national security.

Harry Adams
President

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