Doing Fall Things Safely With COVID Still Around

Who doesn't like to pick fruits, go to a pumpkin patch, or a corn maze in the fall? These are the best things to do in the Midwest but with coronavirus still around these fall activities can still be done safely. This is according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as they are reminding people to do some simple things to keep them safe on their fall agriculture activities around Michigan.

First, you can do some simple things before starting you start one of these Michigan fall activities. Some of things you can do are: have you mask, but also have gloves (especially if you are handling fruits or veggies), wash your hands after an activity, and keep your social distance. These are all things we are doing currently, with the exception of wearing gloves but I see some people wearing those at the grocery store.

Next, if you and your family are thinking about going on a fun fall activity, farms and businesses are only open if they follow these guidelines.

• Develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan.
• Train employees and screen staff daily for symptoms and those with symptoms should not be permitted to work until they go away
• Prohibit gatherings of any size in which people cannot maintain six feet of distance from one another.
• Provide and require the use of personal protective equipment.

If you are going on a U-Pick activity in the state there has to be: sanitation stations readily available, keep groups distanced, and have communication (like signs or pamphlets) that explains the changes, due to COVID, and how to safely clean and prepare the veggies and fruits you pick.

You can see the complete list of guidelines here.