Aug 31, 2021

Michigan ag department continues migrant housing emergency rules

On Aug. 31, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell issued a continuation of the Pandemic Public Health Measures in Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing Emergency rules through the end of the 2021 calendar year.

“We are continuing to make progress in keeping our families and communities safe, but our work is not done,” McDowell said in his announcement of the continuation of  the Pandemic Public Health Measures in Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing Emergency Rules.

“The state of Michigan has seen the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths plummet for vaccinated individuals, while unvaccinated Michiganders remain vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19,” McDowell wrote. “From January to July of this year, unvaccinated Michiganders accounted for a staggering 98% of COVID cases, 95% of hospitalizations, and 96% of deaths. The emergence of the Delta variant and the milestone of over 20,000 COVID-19 deaths in Michigan show the seriousness of what we are all facing.

“While we encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated, there are populations and portions of the state where more outreach and opportunities are needed, including the migrant and seasonal agricultural workers temporarily here working to harvest and process our crops. At this point in the growing season, there is much left to do, and therefore it is necessary to keep these additional safety provisions for licensed housing in place through the end of the year,” McDowell wrote.

In a letter to providers,  Migrant Labor Housing Program Manger Majed Ghussaini provided more information concerning the continuation.