The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released guidance to help state and local jurisdictions and the private sector identify and manage their essential workforce while responding to COVID-19.
The guidance is important as California incorporated the CISA recommendations in its state-wide order limiting individual travel. Pennsylvania also expanded its enforcement issuing an order closing all “non-life-sustaining” businesses, announcing it would begin to enforce the requirements, and included automotive repair services and parts suppliers in the list of businesses allowed to stay open during the crisis.
The CISA guidance states: “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”
The list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers was developed in coordination with Federal agencies and the private sector as a guide to help decision-makers within communities understand how to ensure continuity of essential functions and critical workforce as they consider COVID-related restrictions in certain communities.
Automotive repair and maintenance facilities are included in the list within the Transportation and Logistics sector.
“As the nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, everyone has a role to play in protecting public health and safety. Many of the men and women who work across our nation’s critical infrastructure industries are hard at work keeping the lights on, water flowing from the tap, groceries on the shelves, among other countless essential services,” said Christopher Krebs, CISA Director. “As the nation’s risk advisor, this list is meant to provide additional guidance to state and local partners, as well as industry, building on the President’s statement that critical infrastructure industries have a special responsibility to keep normal operations. We’re providing recommendations for these partners as they carry out their mission to keep their communities safe, healthy, and resilient. And on behalf of CISA, we thank the brave men and women who continue these essential jobs in challenging times.”
“The Auto Care Association has been working tirelessly on the federal, state and local level to educate officials on the need to include Transportation Services on the list of essential businesses that should remain open during emergency shutdown orders in order to ensure the mobility of the public and most importantly emergency service personnel. This federal directive hopefully will provide important guidance to State and local officials in the development of any emergency orders,” according to Auto Care Association president and CEO, Bill Hanvey.
This article courtesy of Russell Thrall III, publisher CollisionWeek. Check out their website at: www.collisionweek.com.