By now, you have heard of Corona virus COVID-19 and the strain it is putting on our healthcare systems. Clearly, the strategy of the Center for Disease Control that includes social distancing and working from home when possible is the best strategy we have right now to slow the spread of the disease so we can reduce the number of deaths from this virus. Unfortunately, the timing of this crisis will make it impossible for the green industry to continue some services. Social distancing and limitations on non-essential travel are likely to continue well into the peak of our maintenance and planting season. Ultimately, it is our hope that everyone in your industry and communities survives the crisis, so that we in the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service can help you get back to business.
Throughout this crisis, Purdue Extension Specialists will continue to work to support you in the best ways possible. Although we are working remotely due to state mandates, we will still be able to answer our phones and produce our regular blogs including the Purdue Landscape Report and Turf Tips. The Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory will continue to function to help you identify problems encountered in the landscape. Check the PPDL website for latest information on how to safely submit samples. Plant and Turf Doctor apps will still be updated and supported.
Please bookmark your supporting trade association pages so that you can stay updated about Federal Relief efforts and suggestions for best courses of action. Topics on these pages range from how to protect yourself, your employees and your customers, to updates on labor issues, H2 visas, and what you can do to maintain plants while observing travel restrictions resulting from Governor Holcomb’s March 23 stay at home declaration. Green Industry workers are considered part of the critical infrastructure and are allowed some work-related travel. This is by no means permission to continue business as usual during the crisis.
Ultimately your health and safety and those of your staff and clients are more important than anything else. We urge you to follow state and CDC guidelines and to postpone or reschedule anything that is not absolutely critical to protecting the public safety from falling trees, or maintaining your existing infrastructure and plants Also, as the season progresses, some mowing and maintenance will be necessary to reduce the habitat of ticks and mosquitos that spread other diseases.
Sites to Monitor
Federal Resources
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- CDC COVID-19 guidance for companies
- CDC COVID-19 resources in English, Spanish and Chinese
State Resources
- Purdue Extension COVID-19 Response
- Office of the Indiana State Chemist
- Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association
- Indiana Professional Lawn and Landscape Association
Sample Critical Infrastructure Travel Permits (Essential work only!)
· ID for Employees Travel
· ID for Shipment of Supplies
Trade Association Websites
Turf
- Coronavirus and Your Golf Business
National Golf Course Owners Association - Responding to the Coronavirus
National Club Association - Coronavirus Special Club Update podcast
National Club Association
Nursery and Greenhouse
Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association Corona Virus
AmericanHort
Society of American Florists
Landscape Maintenance and Arboriculture
