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General Recommendations

Handwashing
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

 

Maintain Social Distancing
Maintain at least 1-meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

 

Practice respiratory hygiene
Cough or sneeze into elbow sleeve.nDispose of tissues in garbage cans.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

 

Avoid
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

 

Cleaning
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TOBACCO FARMS AND ON-FARM DELIVERIES

Identify a drop-off location for regular deliveries away from on-farm high traffic areas and housing
Drop-boxes are recommended to be placed near the road, before on-farm entry.nIf a drop-box is unavailable, designate a drop-off location on-site.

 

Create specific instructions for drop-off deliveries
Provide the location and all procedures needed at the drop-off point.nCreate signage to easily identify drop-off points.nList all point of contacts with contact information to assist with questions leading up to delivery and upon arrival.nPractice distancing with delivery drivers. In these circumstances, it is best to not greet them with a handshake. Instead, keep a recommended distance of at least 1 meter. Avoiding personal interaction is best.

 

Handling Tools and Equipment
Where possible, each employee should be supplied with their own tools to be used throughout the duration of their employment.nWhere it is not possible to provide personal tools, the shared tools and equipment must be wiped down and cleaned with a disinfecting agent such as disposable wipes or a diluted bleach solution between uses by different employees.nEmployees who use personal protective equipment (PPE) and are properly trained in its use.nIn situations where employees are required to work together, the employer may designate employees to small working groups.

 

Sanitize contact surfaces
Disinfect all door handles and knobs, floor mats, steering wheels and other commonly contacted surfaces.nSanitize common gathering places u2013 lobbies, office spaces, lunchrooms, locker facilities, etc.nUsing drums, plastic containers and existing water points to ensure running water is available across the farm.nProvision of extra-protective clothing including masks and sanitizers for safety of the workers.nFarm owners should be encouraged to put in place water systems at the entrance of the toilets by using reusable containers.

Log all deliveries and on-farm entries
Utilize a visitoru2019s log for everyone entering the farm.nMonitor personal travel with a personal travel log.

 

Cleaning Vehicles and Transport
It is recommended to regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the vehicles. Key contact points are: Door handles (inside and out), window, buttons, steering wheel and controls, wiper and turn signal handle, shifter, dash controls + buttons, ventilation grilles and knobs, rear-view mirror, armrests, grab handles, seat adjusters, seat belt buckles. Hands should be washed thoroughly before and after the truck ride and common surfaces should be wiped down before and at the end of each trip.

 

Prepare on-farm workforce
Where possible, each employee should be supplied with their own tools to be used throughout the duration of their employment.nWhere it is not possible to provide personal tools, the shared tools and equipment must be wiped down and cleaned with a disinfecting agent such as disposable wipes or a diluted bleach solution between uses by different employees.nEmployees who use personal protective equipment (PPE) and are properly trained in its use.nIn situations where employees are required to work together, the employer may designate employees to small working groups.

 

Source: World Health Organization (WHO), Connecticutu2019s Official State website, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), British Columbia State Government.