ASA teams up with coalition partners to implore states provide consistent clarity on definition of critical infrastructure-related businesses
The American Supply Association is one of more than 110 industry associations requesting President Trump, state governors, mayors and other local elected officials band together to produce uniform definitions of “critical infrastructure,” making clear what manufacturers must continue to operate, as well as take seriously the need to transport those products and have the workforce available to keep operations running.
The coalition letter notes well-intentioned actions are being taken at the state and local levels that may fundamentally impede or otherwise threaten the supply of critical products.
The letter adds curfews that do not consider transportation and workforce needs could quickly become significant barriers to not only supply chains, but also actual supplies.
The coalition of organizations is asking for the following actions to be coordinated in the most expedient fashion:
1. States should agree to directly adopt the definition of “critical infrastructure” as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a floor and commit to keep these critical manufacturing facilities open across the nation. Follow guidance from the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to identify essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response. Attempt to coordinate all states and localities to achieve as uniform a definition and consistent application as possible, recognizing the need for states or localities to provide broader definitions of critical infrastructure based on their own state or local circumstances.