Covid-19 Updates & Resources
We want to assist you during this challenging time, which is why the Sonoma County Winegrowers team has compiled helpful resources and updates to share with you in regard to Covid-19.
Health Advisory & Best Practices Information:
Practice Sensible Health Habits. The Centers for Disease Control has provided safety guidelines, including:
- Wash your hands frequently with an alchol-based hand rub or soap and water. It is suggested that a 20-second washing is appropriate.
- Maintain social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. The virus enters the body through these three areas.
- Practice respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissues when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
- If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care.
Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) has created a document in both Spanish and English to help shows us a few simple things we can do to protect yourself, your co-workers and your family during this time. Please click here for more information.
The CDC has more information on travel recommendations and three levels of travel advisories. Please click here to visit their site.
Free Masks for Vineyard Employees
The Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation has purchased 5,000 KN95 masks (these are not N95 masks, but are very similar and would work now during the new health order and also for farming and potential fire crisis in the future). You will need temporary masks such as bandanas, t-shirts, sweatshirts, towels, turtlenecks, or other fabric starting on Friday, April 17th but these KN95 masks can be used for the Public Health Order and your farming activities. We are offering these masks FREE for our vineyard employees. We will offer ONE mask per employee on a first-come-first-served basis.
Grape growers, if your vineyard employees are in need of KN95 masks, please reach out to Valerie Pearce, [email protected], via an email with your company name and how many masks you need. St. Joseph’s Health also has access to masks so please be sure to reach out to us if you are in need.
Resources, Links and Documents
Please browse below for the most updated
resources & information on Covid-19 for winegrowers
SONOMA COUNTY GRAPE GROWERS FOUNDATION RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Learn more about the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation's Farmworker Resiliency Fund (the non-profit arm of the Sonoma County Winegrowers) and the organization's response to COVID-19.
EMPLOYER APPLICATIONS FOR SONOMA COUNTY GRAPE GROWERS FOUNDATION FARMWORKER RESILIENCY FUNDS
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation (SCGGF) has launched two separate funds to support Sonoma County’s ag employees and their families through this very difficult time. These two funds are designed to help alleviate some of the financial strain being placed on our local ag community.
COVID-19 HARVEST PROTOCOLS WORKBOOK
The COVID-19 Harvest Protocols Workbook was created by the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. These health and safety protocols for vineyard and winery operations are based on current governmental health and safety guidance (CDC, OSHA, FDA, and CDPH).
URGENCY ORDINANCE FOR AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCES APPROVAL
The Urgency Ordinance for Agricultural Experiences in Sonoma County is approved. This allows existing agricultural operations to host agricultural experiences such as hikes, nature walks, tours, picnics, and other outdoor activities that are designed to promote local agricultural production.
CDFA'S COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR FOOD & AGRICULTURE
Visit CDFA’s COVID-19 Resources for Food and Agriculture to view additional materials that are part of CDFA’s continuous effort to support California’s vibrant farming and ranching community.
TIPS: EDUCATING FARMWORKERS ON COVID-19
These tips reinforces and broadens the education component through highlighting what actions have worked best in the field for farmworker education.
CDFA COVID-19 AWARENESS FOR AGRICULTURE
COVID-19 Awareness for Agriculture offers straightforward advice on how to prevent, educate and respond to COVID-19.
CDC RESUMING BUSINESS TOOLKIT
The Resuming Business Toolkit is designed to assist employers in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and lowering the impact in their workplace when reintegrating employees into non-healthcare business settings.
CDC AG EMPLOYER CHECKLIST FOR CREATING A COVID-19 ASSESSMENT & CONTROL PLAN
Ag employers can use this CDC Checklist to create a COVID-19 assessment and control plan for applying specific preparation, prevention and management measures to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19.
NEW ORDER: CALIFORNIANS MUST WEAR FACE COVERINGS IN HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS!
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today released updated guidance requiring Californians to wear a face covering in high-risk situations.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION FOR PRODUCERS ACT AIMS TO IMPROVE PPP FOR FARMERS
Federal lawmakers on June 9 introduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for farmers.
CAL/OSHA SAFETY & HEALTH GUIDANCE
View a flyer in English & Spanish with information on Covid-19 Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees
CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 AGRICULTURAL WORKSITE CHECKLIST
CAWG has provided an Agricultural Worksite Checklist, produced by the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at UC Davis. It’s a great document that succinctly itemizes steps you should take to protect your ag workforce and minimize the spread of COVID-19. Click to see the checklist in English & Spanish.
ADVISORY FOR AGRICULTURAL WORKER PROTECTION DURING COVID-19 CRISIS ON THE CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA
Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for our farmworkers and other Agricultural employees has always been a priority in the Agriculture industry. Enhanced measures have been added in order to further prevent, decrease and lower the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace.
ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY
Zenith has created a COVID-19 Guidance for Agricultural Operations. This guide helps employers with information, best practices, and resources to deliver information to employees regarding the COVID-19. This guide will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.
CDFA BEST PRACTICES FOR COVID-19 & THE FOOD SUPPLY
Food producers and manufacturers have been required by longstanding federal and state laws and regulations to prevent anyone who is sick or has a communicable disease from handling, processing or preparing food for human consumption. Click here to read Best Practice Guidelines from CDFA in English & Spanish.
FDA COVID-19 FAQ - ENGLISH
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in ENGLISH
FDA COVID-19 FAQ - SPANISH
Preguntas frecuentes sobre la Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) - U.S. Food & Drug Administration in SPANISH
CDC COVID-19 FAQ
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
USDA COVID-19 FAQ
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
CDC RESOURCES FOR BUSINESS & EMPLOYERS
Center for Disease Control: Plan, Prepare and Respond
SONOMA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Bilingual Business Owner Hotline for people to understand how the Shelter in Place Order affects their business. Please call: (707) 565-4667. To view the current Shelter in Place Order in Sonoma County, click below
SONOMA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES - SPANISH
Bilingual Business Owner Hotline for people to understand how the Shelter in Place Order affects their business. Please call: (707) 565-4667. To view the current Shelter in Place Order in Sonoma County IN SPANISH, click below.
EMERGENCY PAID SICK LEAVE ACT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed legislation extending paid sick leave and paid family leave benefits to millions of Americans to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click below for more information on coverage, eligibility and use.
NEW CDC GUIDELINES FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS - ENGLISH
To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community
NEW CDC GUIDELINES FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS - SPANISH
To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community.
PPE GLOVES / GLOVE-SAFETY TIPS
The California Department of of Pesticide Regulation has provided the following resources for folks who are having trouble finding PPE for their pesticide use activities in agricultural production applications. Click below for an acceptable list of PPE Gloves / glove-safety tips
N95 ALTERNATIVES FOR PESTICIDE HANDLING
The California Department of of Pesticide Regulation has provided the following resources for folks who are having trouble finding PPE for their pesticide use activities in agricultural production applications. Click below N95 alternatives for pesticide handling
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY - STATUS OF H-2A WORKERS
Click below for a notice from the Department of Homeland Security regarding status of H-2A workers during the Covid-19 crisis, including travel restrictions
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - STATUS OF H-2A WORKERS
Click below for additional information from the USDA on H-2A and Covid-19
CDFA'S LIST OF PPE SUPPLIERS
Click to see a list of PPE suppliers sourced from CDFA
THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
This new legislation requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
HEALTH OFFICER GUIDELINES FOR FACE COVERINGS - ENGLISH
See below for more information on the Health Officer guidelines for face coverings for the general public covering all age ranges
HEALTH OFFICER GUIDELINES FOR FACE COVERINGS - SPANISH
See below for more information on the Health Officer guidelines for face coverings for the general public covering all age ranges - IN SPANISH
SONOMA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD (EDB)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the Economic Development Board (EDB) has compiled a comprehensive list of local, state and government resources and benefits for businesses and employees affected by the emerging situation
SONOMA COUNTY RESILIENCE FUND
The Sonoma County Resilience Fund will go to 35 local nonprofit organizations to help support the resilience of our community
CREATIVE SONOMA
Visit the Creative Sonoma page for a list of relief organizations and funds
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses (under 500 employees) to keep their workers on the payroll. Click below for an overview of the program, information for prospective borrowers and the application
EXCHANGE BANK
Understanding the Coronavirus Government Financial Resource Options for your Business: Exchange Bank Webinar
USDA CROP INSURANCE FLEXIBILITY
USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) is authorizing self-certification on replant inspections and waiving witness signature in certain situations as part of a broader suite of flexibilities to support America's Farmers and Ranchers. Click below for more information.
THE SAQUI LAW GROUP: AG EMPLOYER CRISIS MANAGEMENT BRIEFING
This recent webinar included hot topics such as critical infrastructure; immigration /H2A updates, employee communications, Families First Coronavirus Response Act; WARN Act; and workplace FAQs
INDUSTRY RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE CALIFORNIA WINE INSTITUTE
Click here for a list of industry resources provided by the California Wine Institute During Covid-19