(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is receiving the second of several expected shipments of cloth face coverings from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be distributed to critical infrastructure workers who do not need medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) for their daily work.

GEMA/HS previously received 135,000 cloth face coverings on May 4, that were distributed to support continued operations of Georgia’s poultry, pork, beef and other food processing operations throughout the state. This additional shipment will provide another 163,471 face coverings for these critical infrastructure workers.

“The health of our food production workers and continued operation of these facilities is critical to the Georgia economy and the overall health and well-being of every Georgian,” said GEMA/HS Director Homer Bryson. “Providing workers with equipment needed to help them stay healthy helps insure the food supply chain in Georgia will continue to operate with minimal disruption.”

Georgia’s poultry industry workers have been hardest hit by COVID-19, and of the 135,000 face coverings received in the initial allocation, 44,600 went to the Poultry Federation to be distributed among poultry workers. The Georgia Department of Agriculture allocated and distributed the remaining face coverings, and will do so for future shipments.

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As part of the Office of the Governor, GEMA/HS works with local, state and federal governments, in partnership with the private sector and faith-based community, to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. In addition, GEMA/HS employees are on 24-hour call statewide to assist local authorities when disaster strikes. GEMA/HS’s “Ready Georgia” campaign helps Georgians prepare for disasters. Visit www.gema.ga.gov  for more information.