Over the weekend, Calif. Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order to ensure that essential critical infrastructure workers can obtain necessary child care to continue working to assist the State’s response to COVID-19.

The order allows for the reopening of state-subsidized before and after school childcare facilities. Essential workers will now have priority in arranging for childcare during work hours.

In the order, Newsom recognizes that child care is essential for working families, in particular for “parents who are considered essential critical infrastructure workers during this emergency, including… food and agriculture workers…”

The order will be administered by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Education. Guidelines are expected soon, and will detail how the child care will be facilitated while maintaining the required social distancing of the shelter-in-place order.

Working through CDFA, Western Growers flagged the issue of child care for essential workers early and often for the Newsom Administration. We will provide additional guidance to our members as it becomes available.

Click here to read the full Executive Order.