In March 24th's press briefing, Governor Parson assured Missourian's that the state's food supply remains strong and emphasized the important role of the food and agriculture industry in Missouri's COVID-19 response efforts.

"Missouri's food supply is as strong as the men and women who drive our trucks and tractors," Governor Parson said. "Farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses are critical pieces of our society at all times, especially right now. I want every worker and employer involved in the food industry to know that your work has never been more important."

Agriculture plays a vital role in taking care of citizens' most basic needs during a public health emergency, and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has been working closely with its partners to maintain the state's strong food supply chain.

To read the Governor's entire press briefing click HERE

We have received a form letter regrading Critical Employee travel authorization. This letter can be customized for your store and will allow your employees to travel to and from work while a Stay At Home order is in place. They just need to print it out and keep it in their vehicle.
Critical Industry Employee Authorization to Travel 

If you would like to receive a Word version of this letter, so you can customize it, email ccampbell@missourigrocers.com

Want to order a Plexiglass sneeze guard kit to provide more COVID-19 protection in your store? Order details provided by AWG.
Click Here to Print

**Update from State Director Dan Shaul**

Dear Members,

Governor Parson, following moves by other states and Missouri cities, has mandated bars and restaurants to stop serving customers in-house, allowing only drive-thru, carry-out or delivery. This new order took effect yesterday, Monday, March 23rd and as of now will remain in effect until April 6th.

In addition to the changes in the restaurant’s operations, Governor Parson signed an executive order yesterday allowing for the sale of unprepared foods by restaurants. We have been in contact with the Governor’s office regarding this executive order and have determined that under this order, grocery stores are allowed to sell food intended for the restaurant industry. You can see the Governor’s executive order HERE.

Please keep us updated on your stores and communities and do not hesitate to let us know how we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Dan Shaul
State Director
Missouri Grocers Association
314-378-4363

Several retailers have inquired about installing Plexiglass shields at the check-out lanes in their stores, like Dierberg's and Hy-Vee's (see pictures below).

Here's some DIY information from our friends at Nebraska Grocery Industry Association.

Angela Barry and her husband installed their own Plexiglass shields in A Street Market in Lincoln, NE. The Plexiglass they used is 1/4" thick and 4'x27" wide. They used heavy duty, double-sided Velcro capable of holding 15 lbs to hold it in place. The total cost was under $100. The final result is the last pictured below.

Dierberg's

Hy-Vee

A Street Market

Dierbergs Markets is working swiftly to help our customers and Associates create distance from one another in an effort to deliberately increase the physical space between people. Starting today, Dierbergs shoppers will begin noticing a difference at checkout lanes as they begin to install plexiglass partitions at the registers. The partitions are an added safety measure to go "above and beyond" the protocols of which Dierbergs Associates are already operating under. The installation will be complete early this week. They also put out this PSA that reminds shoppers to practice social distancing and keep 2 carts between you and everyone else, as much as possible. To view some pictures of their plexiglass visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Dierbergs/

While we will continue to post general updates about COVID-19 to this page, we are also posting more member-specific information on our Priority Issues page. To view updates on that page, you will need to be a member of MGA and be logged.  Click Here to read the Priority Issues page now.

The Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Wednesday and President Trump signed it hours later. The law becomes effective April 2, 2020 and expires on December 31, 2020. The law contains many provisions that are going to be difficult for small businesses specific to paid family and sick leave. In addition the act provides free coronavirus testing, makes changes to Unemployment Insurance, strengthens food security initiatives and increases Medicaid funding.

Paid Family and Medical Leave The final version was changed by the Senate and includes employees of employers with less than 500 employees, who have been on the job for at least 30 days. The new law requires 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for these employees unable to work (or telework), due to caring for a child if the child's school or place of care has been closed, or is unavailable, due to the coronavirus. Please note: The Act authorizes the Secretary of Labor to exclude certain health care providers and emergency responders from providing extended Family and Medical Leave as well as small businesses with fewer than 50 employees if providing the leave "would jeopardize the viability of the business."

Paid Sick Leave Employers with fewer than 500 employees are also required to provide two weeks of paid sick leave to their employees. Paid sick leave can be used for the following reasons:

(1) The employee is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to coronavirus;

(2) The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to coronavirus;

(3) The employee is experiencing coronavirus symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis;

(4) The employee is caring for an individual who is subject to an order as described in reason (1) or has been advised as described in reason (2).

(5) The employee is caring for a son or daughter of such employee if the school or place of care of the son or daughter has been closed, or the childcare provider of such son or daughter is unavailable, due to the coronavirus.

(6) The employee is experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor.

COVID-19 Testing Requires all private insurers to provide FREE coverage for COVID-19 testing, including the cost of a provider, urgent care, and emergency room visits in order to receive testing.

Unemployment Insurance Provides adequate funding for unemployment compensation for eligible individuals. The one-week waiting period for unemployment compensation will remain up to the states, but the Act will provide for temporary federal matching for the first week for those states with no waiting week.

A new MOWIC 2020-1 COVID-19 Emergency Response document is now available. 

Effective Friday, March 20, 2020: Substitutions for formula, milk, eggs, bread, and peanut butter have been introduced. Please see the document linked below for more information.

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020: WIC will decrease the maximum quantity allowed on checks for certain food items to allow WIC customers to purchase smaller quantities of food items.

Click here to read the full Emergency Response document.

Dear MGA Members,

The Missouri Grocers Association understands that while this has been a very busy time for your businesses, there is also so much confusion regarding new rules and regulations imposed at the local levels. Many of these regulations are different from county to county or even city to city and go further than those changes imposed by Governor Parson. We are doing our best to keep up with all these changes. If you are aware of any ordinances in your respective communities that go further than the recommendations of Governor Parson, please let us know.

In our conversations with the Governor's leadership team, we explained to them how each community creating their own rules and regulations creates confusion amongst businesses and consumers. We need to have consistent rules and guidelines for continued success and customer trust.

We are also working with our state leaders and grocery industry leaders across the country to ensure that we can get access to Personal Protective Equipment and priority testing for our industry workers. We agree that medical personnel and first responders do and should remain to come first in terms of access. Workers in the grocery and RX businesses are on the front lines and providing vital services to all Missourians on a daily basis, and therefore we need to ensure that their health and safety remains a top priority.

Our industry remains to be stronger together. Please let us know how we can continue to be of assistance to your stores and communities.

Sincerely,

Dan Shaul
State Director
The Missouri Grocers Association