WAFLA COVID Frustrations Pt 1
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. The frustration is rampant across the Washington agricultural community as employers wait to hear something from Governor Jay Inslee regarding the repeal of emergency COVID rules for fully vaccinated individuals.
WAFLA CEO Dan Fazio says they’re hoping to get some good news and get it soon…
FAZIO … “Yeah, that’s what we’re hoping because it’s not a tolerable situation for the Governor to tell people that the law is one way and then have the regulation be a different way.”
For those in agriculture, Fazio says it’s a mixed message from the governor …
FAZIO … “Basically, on the same day that he’s telling people that you can go back to work and no masks and no social distancing as long as you’re vaccinated, he’s telling employers you have to enforce a mask and social distancing requirements in worker provided housing when the workers are fully vaccinated.”
And for everyone involved, Fazio says it makes no sense …
FAZIO … “So, it’s the same worker that’s vaccinated. He can work in the field, but it’s after work he has to sit in his home and wear a mask and can’t socialize with his coworkers. So we don’t understand it, and quite frankly, the regulators don’t either.”
But, are you getting any sense from the Governor that change is coming …
FAZIO … “They’re telling us, we understand your frustration, we’re working on it. And, if you have questions, send us the questions. And, we send them the questions and they say thank you for sending the questions, we’re working on it.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on the Governor’s mixed message as harvest gets underway.
