President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday, April 28, to use the Defense Production Act to keep meat and poultry processing plants open during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The order also includes guidelines to minimize the risk to workers who are especially vulnerable to the virus.

Under the Executive Order and the authority of the Defense Production Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will work with meat processors to affirm they will operate in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Health and Human Services and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance. USDA will also work with state and local officials to ensure the processing plants are allowed to operate to produce the meat protein that Americans need.

“I thank President Trump for signing this executive order and recognizing the importance of keeping our food supply chain safe, secure and plentiful. Our nation’s meat and poultry processing facilities play an integral role in the continuity of our food supply chain,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said in a statement. “Maintaining the health and safety of these heroic employees in order to ensure that these critical facilities can continue operating is paramount. I also want to thank the companies who are doing their best to keep their workforce safe, as well as keeping our food supply sustained. USDA will continue to work with its partners across the federal government to ensure employee safety to maintain this essential industry.”

USDA will continue to work with the CDC, OSHA, Food and Drug Administration and state and local officials to ensure that facilities implementing this guidance to keep employees safe can continue operating.

The interim guidance from OSHA said employees should be spaced at least 6 feet apart and screened before they start working. The guidance also recommended temperature checks and wearing cloth face coverings as a protective measure.