COVID-19 Resources

State and federal guidelines for essential business

Emphasis on agriculture, horticulture, and pest control

Information on this page was last reviewed and updated on July 1, 2020.

Federal

U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s letter defining essential business.

CDC: Interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to COVID-19

CDC: Implementing safety practices for critical infrastructure workers who may have had exposure to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19

CDC comments on people at increased risk: “People at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, should consider their level of risk before deciding to go out and ensure they are taking steps to protect themselves. Consider avoiding activities where taking protective measures may be difficult, such as activities where social distancing can’t be maintained. Everyone should take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 to protect themselves, their communities, and people who are at increased risk of severe illness. In general, the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.”

National and Regional Resources

StopPests in Housing’s guidance on pest control during coronavirus.

National Pest Management Association’s COVID-19 page has resources for every state, including a spread sheet of every state’s essential services page. The U.S. State Testing/Certification and Disinfection Licensing Requirements are also available at the bottom of the NPMA page.

Northeast Center for Occupational Safety and Health’s COVID-19 Resources for use by the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries. Includes safety trainings for farms, information about workplace hygiene, and respirator and PPE guidance.

What you should know about N95 respirators and face masks [PDF] (Interim Guidance, April 14, 2020)

Events

The coronavirus pandemic has meant many organizations in the pest management industry have had to cancel or postpone events scheduled to take place in 2020.

Pest Management Professional (MyPMP.net) has a list of cancellations and changes.

State Guidelines

State	State COVID-19 page	Extension Resources	IPM-related essential sectors/industries
Connecticut	Connecticut COVID-19 page	UConn Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
Delaware	Delaware COVID-19 page	Delaware Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
Maine	Maine COVID-19 page	Maine Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
Maryland	Maryland COVID-19 page	Maryland Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
Massachusetts	Massachusetts COVID-19 page	UMass Extension	Agriculture Pest control
New Hampshire	New Hampshire COVID-19 page	New Hampshire Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
New Jersey	New Jersey COVID-19 page	Rutgers Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
New York	New York COVID-19 page	Cornell Extension	Agriculture Best Management Practices for U-Pick Farms During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Cornell Small Farms Program Horticulture businesses, including greenhouse operations, nurseries, sod farms, and arborists, are now permitted to reopen statewide, in all regions. See: Interim Guidance for Horticulture Pest control
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania COVID-19 page	Penn State Extension	Agriculture Horticulture: garden centers are not essential businesses under Pa. Governor’s order. See FAQ #36. Pest control
Rhode Island	Rhode Island COVID-19 page	URI Extension	Not specified
Vermont	Vermont COVID-19 page	Vermont Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
Washington, D.C.	Washington, D.C., COVID-19 page		Agriculture Horticulture Pest control
West Virginia	West Virginia COVID-19 page	West Virginia Extension	Agriculture Horticulture Pest control