OMEGA Coronavirus Related Updates - 03/31/2020
- White House Extends Social Distancing Guidelines Until End of April
President Trump this week extended social distancing guidelines through April 30th. Additionally, governors and mayors nationwide continue to issue their own restrictions, shutting schools and many retail businesses. Public-health experts have said extended social distancing is needed until the U.S. develops a vigorous testing regime to identify and isolate cases. President Trump said he didn’t anticipate relaxing the guidelines before April 30 even for regions less affected by the virus. - NGA to Request Federal Benefits for Frontline Workers
In a letter to Congress, NGA will be requesting that essential critical infrastructure workers receive federal benefits for their hard work on the frontlines of the coronavirus public health crisis. The letter recognizes the work these employees do to feed and protect Americans during a challenging time. The letter requests that Congress consider either exempting these employees from federal taxes, providing direct hazard payments, or by empowering employers to assign hazard pay through business incentives. The letter will be sent to Congress ahead of its potential consideration of another legislative package written to address the ongoing crisis.
OMEGA Coronavirus Related Updates - 03/30/2020
- FDA and FSIS Provide Labeling Flexibility for Food Service Labels Going to Retail
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released temporary guidance that would allow flexibility regarding nutrition labeling not labeled for retail sale to be sold in supermarkets. The FDA also promised that it will not focus on enforcement of the Nutrition Facts Panel update this year during the COVID-19 crisis to provide food supply companies more flexibility in getting product to market. The move by FDA comes after the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) decided to exercise enforcement discretion for a temporary period to provide labeling flexibilities for meat and poultry products intended for food service going to retail. FSIS will provide additional information on labeling issues in the future if necessary. CLICK HERE for a comprehensive memo on the FDA’s recent actions and CLICK HERE for a memo on FSIS’s recent actions from NGA’s food law firm, OFW Law. - NGA Sends Letter to Agriculture Secretary Perdue on Surging Commodity Prices
On Sunday, NGA sent Department of Agriculture Secretary Perdue a letter requesting helpas grocers and wholesalers deal with surging commodity prices, especially with eggs. In recent weeks, the price of eggs has more than doubled, leading to frustrated consumers, false allegations of price gouging, and local ordinances preventing retailers from increasing prices on consumers. NGA requested that Secretary Perdue make public statements and provide grocers with official signage to explain price increases to consumers and to better help the industry work with our local and state governmental partners. In addition, the letter requests Perdue use USDA’s investigative tools to monitor and mitigate price spikes in the marketplace for commodities. CLICK HERE for store messaging NGA developed for our members, including pricing.
OMEGA Coronavirus Related Updates - 03/27/2020
- Required Posting for COVID-19 Leave Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice – Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I post this notice? Since most of my workforce is teleworking, where do I electronically “post” this notice?Each covered employer must post a notice of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requirements in a conspicuous place on its premises. An employer may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to employees, or posting this notice on an employee information internal or external website.
Click here for all notice FAQ's | Click here for copy of the required non-federal poster
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The outbreak first started in China, but the virus continues to spread internationally and in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as additional information becomes available.
Click here for full guidance.
SNAP Benefits Update for West Virginia
An emergency allotment of SNAP benefits has been approved for West Virginia. The dates of the increase will be April 3rd-May 1st. Overall it is 19.9 million for the month with an estimated 106,461 to receive. This is an increase to the total amount received of SNAP benefits.
OMEGA Coronavirus Related Updates - 03/23/2020
- RVP Waiver Request - NACS NATSO PMAA & SIGMA
The national associations, representing the convenience and fuel retailing industry, have requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant a waiver of the federal Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements that change on May 1, 2020 at the terminal level and June 1, 2020 at the retail level due to the rapid changes in gasoline demand resulting from the COVID-19 health pandemic. Please click here to read waiver request.
- FMCSA Allows States to Grant Automatic Extension of Expiring CDLs, CLPs and Medical Certificates
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued emergency guidance yesterday permitting state licensing authorities to automatically extend certain CDL credential renewal deadlines required under federal regulations. This guidance is important to petroleum marketers and heating fuel dealers because it ensures that CDL credentials expiring during the COVID-19 declaration of national emergency will remain valid. CDL credentialing that may be automatically extended under the FMCSA guidance include:
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- Thank You for Making the 2024 Jan Vineyard Charity Golf Outing a Success!
- Join the GameChanger July Campaign: Empower Our Youth, Prevent Substance Misuse
- WV Oil Marketer & Grocers Association Campaign Raises Over $137,000 For Children in Need of Assistance
- WV Oil Marketer & Grocers Association Campaign Raises Over $132,000 For Children in Need of Assistance
- WV Oil Marketer & Grocers Association Campaign Raises $115,463 For Children in Need of Assistance
