More Appalachian state governments have enacted shelter-in-place orders in the past two days BUT are allowing ESSENTIAL businesses as designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to operate. Fortunately, this list includes theĀ primaryĀ forest products industryĀ asĀ “essentialĀ infrastructure workforce in the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.”
States with shelter-in-place orders but follow federal guidance include: New York, Ohio, West Virginia, and Georgia.
States with modified orders but primary forest products companies can operate by following social distancing and other guidelines as of 9 a.m. on 3/25/2020: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. There are, however, counties in these states that have restrictions in place so please review with state officials.
The states that have no orders on manufacturing businesses as of 9 a.m. on 3/25/2020: Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama. There are, however, counties in these states that have restrictions in place so please review with state officials. In these states, please ask your state legislators and Governor to follow the U.S. Homeland Security and Department of Labor guidance that recognizes the forest products industry from forestry through secondary manufacturing as “essential.”