The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued an initial list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” to help State and local officials to ensure continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security at: https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19. Declarations of quarantine orders and their enforcement are ultimately up to State and local officials.
This MSIB is advisory in nature, and should be used to provide further clarification when making determinations regarding which MTS workers are considered essential in regions impacted by COVID-19 quarantine and shelter-in-place orders. Though not exhaustive, the list of essential critical infrastructure workers includes:
- Maritime transportation workers - port workers, mariners, equipment operators, which includes port and facility security personnel and other port authority and commercial facility personnel
- Petroleum workers - petroleum and crude oil product storage facilities, pipeline, marine transport, and terminals
- Oil Spill Removal Organizations - workers who support hazardous materials response and cleanup
- Workers necessary for the production and supply of materials and products needed for energy
Many MTS workers will have a federal Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) that may be used to confirm their MTS nexus. However, many others in the support framework will not have specific maritime identification or may be in the process of applying for a TWIC. In any case, where there is a question, state officials are highly encouraged to engage directly with their local Coast Guard Captain of the Port to confirm whether the worker is essential to MTS operations. |