Essential Workers and Sample Letters
Sample documents for Essential Worker travel
during Stay at Home Work Orders
(scroll down for essential worker definitions)
Email to Employees:
(this should be put in a company email)
You’ve recently heard much about state Governors issuing “Shelter-in-Place” orders for City/County/State. Attached is a Travel Authorization. This document should be used by any associate required to travel (due to job responsibilities) to their branch or customer/ site location during a shelter-in-place period. Please print the attached letter, keep on your person and present if government authority or customer requests it.
- Why will ABC Company continue to operate? ABC serves a unique customer base. Many of our customers support critical infrastructure that must remain operational in our communities during challenging times. Out of concern, many of our customers have inquired if ABC Company will be operating during this period.
- How is ABC Company able to operate during a shelter-in-place order? ABC Company have been deemed an “essential business” operating in a critical industry as defined by the Department of Homeland Security. This designation provides us the authority to maintain our operations and continue to serve our customers.
Thank you for everything you are doing to protect your health and move our organization forward.
Sample (1) Letter Body:
(This should be put on Company Letter Head)
RE: Critical Industry Employee Authorization to Travel
To: Whom It May Concern:
The holder of this letter is a critical infrastructure worker serving an essential business.
Pursuant to Government Agency Directive/ Proclamation, ABC Company is a critical infrastructure supplier to the area/location, designated by the Directive / Proclamation whose operations provide essential services. This document certifies that this vehicle is engaged in essential activities within a sector that has been designated as critical infrastructure, the continued operation of which is vital for security, national economic security, national public health, and safety.
As such, the individual in possession of this letter is a "critical infrastructure industry employee" of the community and should be considered exempt from state and local restrictions such as curfews, shelter-in-place orders, and other mobility restrictions when reporting to, returning from, or performing his or her work functions.
Pursuant to the above, this individual is authorized to travel to and from my workplace to and from locations pursuant to the job duties to support critical infrastructure sectors. Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact Company Management contact information.
Sample (2) Letter Body:
(This should be put on Company Letter Head)
RE: Critical Industry Employee Authorization to Travel
To: Whom It May Concern:
This Authorization to Travel indicates that <employee’s first and last name> is considered essential operations for <full name of company>. Please allow this employee travel for all essential business operations of <full name of company> or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. As an authorized employee, <employee’s first and last name> will be able to produce a valid driver’s license and <full name of company> work identification.
- This letter is valid from June 1, 20 through May 31, 20 <1 year max>.
Thank you for your cooperation. For validation purposes, please contact <name of employee’s supervisor or 24-hour contact> at <phone number of employee’s supervisor or 24 hour contact>.
Sample (3) Letter Body:
(This should be put on Company Letter Head)
This letter serves to confirm that the individual is a *MSP NAME* employee. *MSP NAME* is an industry that provides operations services to essential services and businesses. In compliance with the City of *YOUR CITY* executive order *ORDER*, section *SECTION*, *MSP* is a business that supplies “other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate”.
This individual will need to move between his or her home, our main office at the address above, and essential businesses, which are our clients. Our employees are instructed to observe social distancing rules of 6ft of separation when at client sites. This employee can display their identification badge upon request to confirm their employment.
If you require additional confirmation of employment, or information, please contact me management contact information.
Essential workers as defined by NC Counties and the Sate
Bumcombe County
Supplemental Declaration Of A Local State Of Emergency defines essential business as:
9.b.vii. Essential Services Necessary to Maintain Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses. Trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal; mail and shipping services; building cleaning, maintenance and security; warehouse/distribution and fulfillment; storage for essential businesses; funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences and Essential Businesses. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities, contractual obligations, and end of life directives. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with support or supplies needed to operate. Click for More Information
Haywood County
8. Critical trades. Building and Construction workers, and other trades including but not limited to plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses and Operations; Click for More Information
Henderson County
I-1,i. Critical trades. Building and Construction Trades, and other related trades, including but not limited to, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning, and janitorial, staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety sanitation and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities and Essential Businesses and Operations. Any of the aforesaid Critical Trades services provided in person shall observe Social Distancing Requirements. Read Full Order
State of North Carolina
2-C 15. Critical trades. Building and construction tradesman and tradeswoman, and other trades, including but not limited to, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning, and janitorial, staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, landscaping and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences and COVID-19 Essential Businesses and Operations. This includes organizations that represent employees. Read Full Order
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
CISA, adivision of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, issued an “Advisory Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response.” The memorandum contains an updated “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” advisory list that identifies workers who perform operations and services essential to protecting state and local communities and ensuring continuity in critical functions. On page 15, the guidance calls out “Residential/Shelter Facilities and Services,” specifically identifying as essential:
- Workers responsible for the leasing of residential properties to provide individuals and families with ready access to available housing.
- Workers responsible for handling property management, maintenance, and related service calls who can coordinate the response to emergency “at-home” situations requiring immediate attention, as well as facilitate the reception of deliveries, mail, and other necessary services.
- Workers performing housing construction related activities to ensure additional units can be made available to combat the nation’s existing housing supply shortage.
- Workers supporting the construction of housing, including those supporting government functions related to the building and development process, such as inspections, permitting and plan review services that can be modified to protect the public health, but fundamentally should continue and serve the construction of housing (e.g., allow qualified private third-party inspections in case of government shutdown).