COVID-19: Resources for Manufacturers

What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease)?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a coronavirus first identified in humans in December 2019. This is not the same as the coronaviruses that regularly circulate among humans and cause mild respiratory illness, like the common cold. This new coronavirus, formerly called the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, is concerning to health experts because so little is known about it and it can cause severe respiratory illness is some people.

COVID-19 General Information

Preparing Your Business – Protecting Your Employees

MEP National Network member IMEC outlined five steps you can do this week to help prepare your business. You can read more on these steps here.

  1. Determine supply chain disruption risks
  2. Reeducate employees on preventing virus spread
  3. Review and revise cleaning schedules for common areas
  4. Work with local health professionals
  5. Communicate promptly

The CDC has issued Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers based on what is currently know about COVID-19. The CDC recommends employers use the following strategies:

  • Encourage sick employees to stay home
  • Separate sick employees
  • Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees
  • Perform routine environmental cleaning
  • Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Unemployment FAQs addresses questions your employees may be asking.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce COVID-19 Employer Toolkit

Resuming Operations

WEDC Reopening Guidelines by Industry

Wisconsin Safety Council – Returning to Work: 8 Steps to Keep Employees Safe

CDC Guidance for Businesses & Workplaces

CDC Mitigation Strategies

Food Industry Best Practices

Business Continuity

Every industry in the U.S. has already been or will be significantly affected by COVID-19. Now is the time to create or update your business continuity plan. The Department of Homeland Security’s Business Continuity Plan Template can help you get started. More information on business continuity planning is available here.

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) hosted a webinar for businesses on March 17, 2020: How your business can withstand a global pandemic outbreak. View the recorded webinar through MMAC’s Coronavirus Guidance & Resources page.

Medical College of Wisconsin Continuity Considerations for Organizations fact sheet (3.20.20).

MEP National Network – The Importance of Supply Chain Disruption Planning

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – CISA Insights: Risk Management for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Deloitte CFO Insights – COVID-19 checklist: Practical steps for the immediate, midterm, and long-term

Current PPE Inventories

If you currently have inventory of PPE items that can be shipped or picked up, please visit the State of WI COVID-19 PPE Donation/Buyback Program page to register.

FEMA temporary rule on exporting critically needed supplies (April 7, 2020)

Wisconsin Supplier Network: Protective Equipment & Supplies

Critical Needs Manufacturing

We are helping the State of Wisconsin create and organize an effective supply chain to meet their PPE needs – both short or longer term. For more information on the items needed and to register your company’s ability to supply these item(s) in the future, please fill out this form.

A catalog of open-source designs and specs for many of the critically needed supplies and devices has been created. These documents are being updated as more information becomes available. See the full list of specs.

On April 15, the Wisconsin Legislature passed, and Governor Evers signed, COVID-19 response legislation. That legislation includes civil liability exemption for emergency medical supplies (see page 15 of the legislation for details). Please consult an attorney with questions about if or how this applies to your operations.

Face Shield Producers or Component Suppliers

Visit the University of Wisconsin Makerspace website for open-source designs, material specifications, and the process to ship finished shields to where they are most needed.

Manufacturing Standards

The standards community is helping COVID-19 response efforts by making their applicable standards available for the business and manufacturing community at no cost.

FDA Guidance & Enforcement Policies

FDA Guidance: Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019

FDA Guidance: Use of Respirators, Facemasks, and Cloth Face Coverings in the Food and Agriculture Sector During Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

FDA Takes Action to Increase U.S. Supplies Through Instructions for PPE and Device Manufacturers

On April 6, 2020, the FDA hosted a webinar: Enforcement Policy for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) During COVID-19: Immediately in Effect Guidance. The webinar slides can be found here. The webinar recording can be viewed here. FDA enforcement policies are below.

FDA: Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised)

FDA: Enforcement Policy for Gowns, Other Apparel, and Gloves During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency

FDA: Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency

FDA: Temporary Policy for Manufacture of Alcohol for Incorporation into Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency (COVID-19)

Recommendations & Resources

Workplace Health & Safety

Human Resources Issues

Financial Resources

Additional Resources