COVID-19 Resources
MHI is closely monitoring information regarding COVID-19 caused by the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on material handling, logistics and supply chain operations.
Below are resources regarding COVID-19. We will continue to work to share additional available information and welcome your concerns and input.
Download a list of resources grouped by industry.
Download a list of resources grouped by agency.
Business Continuity and Workplace Resources
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for COVID-19 and published an updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan (IERP).
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - FAQs on illnesses caused by COVID-19 vaccinations.
- COVID-19 Operations Waiver Letter Template
This letter template is designed to be a resource for anyone seeking a waiver as part of CISA’s Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. While MHI is not permitted to lobby governmental entities, we are offering this resource for those who wish to. Each state has their own regulations and unique procedures for obtaining such relief. We suggest that each person consider consulting your local legislators as well as your legal counsel for additional guidance on obtaining relief.
- State/Local Policy Tracker
This page contains resources on the state and local government response to COVID-19/coronavirus included ordered business shutdowns and response information.
- State and Local Policy Tracker Dashboard
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidance on "essential employees”
- CISA Guide to Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- CDC Interim Guidance for Business and Employees
- WHO Guidance on Workplaces
- Small Business Association Economic Injury loan information
- Thomas Coronavirus Resource Hub for Manufacturing
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (also available in Spanish)
- Alert: Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (also vailable in Spanish)
- Temporary Enforcement Guidance - Healthcare Respiratory Protection Annual Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces During the COVID-19 Outbreak. Note: This guidance is effective as of March 14, 2020, and will remain in effect until further notice.
- COVID-19 in the construction world. (also in Spanish)
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued new Enforcement Guidance for Respiratory Protection and the N95 Shortage Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) Pandemic. This memorandum provides interim guidance to Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) for enforcing the Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR § 1910.134, and certain other health standards, with regard to supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators. Specifically, it outlines enforcement discretion to permit the extended use and reuse of respirators, as well as the use of respirators that are beyond their manufacturer’s recommended shelf life (sometimes referred to as “expired”). This guidance applies in all industries and will also be highlighted on the OSHA COVID-19 webpage shortly.
For further information about COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- OSHA - Guidance for the Package Delivery Workforce (Spanish)
- OSHA - Guidance for the Manufacturing Industry Workforce (Spanish) to help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
- American National Standards Institute
- Kroger Blueprint for Business in COVID-19
- DOL Apprenticeship Program
- COVID-19 resources for workplace safety and health.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released this Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Memorandum, which provides temporary enforcement guidance for enforcing initial and annual fit-testing requirements of the Respiratory Protection standard, Section 1910.134 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. It applies to tight fitting PAPRs, approved by NIOSH, when used for protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by healthcare personnel or any other workers in high or very high exposure risk activities because of supply shortages of both disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators and fit-testing supplies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Protect Your Workers from COVID-19
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Frequently Asked Question and Answer Confirming N95 Respirators Protect Against the Coronavirus
- Building a more resilient ICT supply chain: Lessons learned during COVID
- OSHA - Lessons Learned: Frequently Cited Standards Related to COVID-19 Inspections
- CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation
Other COVID-19 Resources
Other Industry Resources
Applications for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program for businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
The program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven based on keeping or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. No collateral or personal guarantees are required and neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees. Importantly, funding is limited, so applying promptly is advisable.
For more details about the Paycheck Protection Program, visit the Small Business Administration’s program overview. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) or other participating federally insured lender, and should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.
Taking advantage of small business assistance programs like this can protect an employee’s paycheck, benefits and eligibility for the expanded Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).