COVID-19 and Workshop Changes - Update Letter from our Executive Director
(April 02, 2020)
Good afternoon,
We wanted to reach out to you as a partner during this time of uncertainty due to COVID-19. We are in the process of changing our in-person Carolina Canopy Workshop series into a webinar series that will allow you to keep up with professional standards and continuing education while also social distancing. Our scheduled Carolina Canopy workshop for April 14th in Goldsboro is cancelled. We will begin the webinar series on April 14th and are working to adjust the topics and calendar to offer a webinar every other week until the end of June. Keep an eye out for additional information about registration in the coming days.
During this time, many of us are dealing with the uncertainty of what constitutes 'essential work' as state and local governments enact restrictions on the workforce to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. We wanted to make you aware of two pieces of information that may help provide guidance and support to allow the tree care industry to continue working:
1. NC Department of Agriculture has released some Guidance on what they consider critical infrastructure workers. In this document, two bullet points address the green industry and identifying them as essential:
- Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution.
- Agriculture workers supporting the green industry to include nursery operations, garden centers, landscape and maintenance companies critical to the environmental and physical living conditions necessary in our communities.
2. TCIA and ISA have put together a Joint Statement on Essential Services within the tree care industry. This document outlines ways tree companies and arborists can position themselves as an essential workforce and offers suggestions on steps you can take to keep working during this time.
Each company and organization can make their own decision regarding what is essential work, but you can use the above information as guidance. Please continue using safe work practices recommended by CDC to reduce exposure to and passing of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Leslie
