NAMA and other trade groups urge prioritization of COVID-19 tests for critical infrastructure workers

The National Automatic Merchandising Association was among the signatories of a letter sent by the Critical Infrastructure Supply Chain Council to President Joe Biden urging the prioritization of COVID-19 tests for critical infrastructure employees.

CISCC is a coordinated effort of various trade organizations committed to addressing long- and short-term supply chain challenges, including issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Food industry organization FMI chairs the council’s Workforce Task Force. 

"Having access to tests is imperative for essential industries such as convenience services to continue safely operating, and delivering the 24/7/365 around-the-clock service Americans rely on," observed NAMA senior director of external affairs.Mike Goscinski.

The letter, dated Jan. 5, stated:

Critical for sustaining this supply chain is the availability of accurate, readily available testing supplies to slow the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The undersigned organizations urge your administration to accelerate efforts to ensure test kit and supply availability and recognize the essential role of the industries represented below, by taking steps that would prioritize testing availability and access to tests for our nation’s critical infrastructure. Doing so would prevent interruption to critical goods and services at a time when Americans need them the most and would help to protect those workers who remain on the front lines of the pandemic. 

The signers included:

Agriculture Retailers Association
American Bakers Association
American Building Materials Alliance
American Cleaning Institute
American Feed Industry Association
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Consumer Brands Association
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
Corn Refiners Association
Crop Life America
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
FMI - The Food Industry Association
Fragrance Creators Association
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
International Bottled Water Association
International Fresh Produce Association
National Aquaculture Association
National Association of Beverage Importers Inc.
National Automatic Merchandising Association
National Confectioners Association
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Grocers Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Restaurant Association
National Turkey Federation
North American Meat Institute
North American Millers' Association
North American Renderers Association
Pet Food Institute
Responsible Industry for Sound Environment
The Fertilizer Institute
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America