After many meat processing facilities have been impacted by coronavirus clusters, resulting in scaled back production and facility closures, President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act and issued an executive order on April 28, 2020, to keep meat processing facilities open during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The executive order authorizes USDA to "take all appropriate action" to ensure that meat processing facilities stay in operation "consistent with guidance" issued by the CDC and OSHA on April 26 for protecting workers from the novel coronavirus.

  • A full copy of the executive order can be viewed here.
  • The CDC and OSHA Interim Guidance for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers can be viewed here.