The NYS Departments of Health, Agriculture & Markets, and Labor are partnering with Extension to get the word out about a special program to provide COVID-19 testing for agricultural workers in several counties across the state. In our region, these include Wayne, Genesee, and Orleans Counties. Clinton and Ulster Counties are also included. These counties were chosen because they have the highest influx of out-of-state workers during the fall.
While the focus of the program is to identify seasonal workers coming into the state for harvest, it is open to any farm (fruit, vegetable, dairy, etc.) in the counties listed above. Farmers in other counties should contact their county health department directly in order to arrange for testing.
Complete information about the program including an Overview and FAQ is available on the Department of Agriculture and Markets website.
WHAT IS REQUIRED:
- Face masks must be worn at the testing locations.
- Employees will be required to provide their name, DOB, contact phone number,and employer name at the time of testing.
- Farm operators must ensure that they:
Have read, understood, and comply with the guidelines.
https://agriculture.ny.gov/covid-19-operator-checklist-farms
https://agriculture.ny.gov/interim-guidance-prevention-and-responsecovid-19-farms
https://agriculture.ny.gov/covid-19-prevention-tips-farmworkers
- Have a plan, including housing available to isolate workers if they are positive and quarantine workers who are identified as contacts to a case.
- Register for this initiative.
REGISTRATION:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/78fd67f98e104d1c95f533cb8ac9c200
**Once registered, a representative from the local county health department, community health partner and/or the State Department of Health will contact each farm individually to identify the best date and time for testing.**
