TCIA and ISA Issue Joint Guidance to Assist Tree Care Companies Navigate the Increasing Number of COVID-19 Related Quarantines
In response to the spread of COVID-19 and the corresponding increase in quarantine measures that are being enacted on a state and local basis, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) issued guidance to their members to assist them in determining which types of tree care work should be considered "essential."
ATLANTA, March 20, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In response to the spread of COVID-19 and the corresponding increase in quarantine measures that are being enacted on a state and local basis, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) issued guidance to their members to assist them in determining which types of tree care work should be considered "essential." TCIA and ISA also encourage governments at all levels to provide clear directives that ensure tree care companies and arborists can continue to provide vital services in this time of national emergency.
"As the COVID-19 situation develops, TCIA is making a concerted effort to ensure tree care companies can continue to provide essential services to communities across the country, including work that ensures our roads and powerlines are clear so that health care providers, food suppliers, and others can continue to provide essential services for addressing the COVID-19 outbreak," said David White, President and CEO of TCIA in Manchester, NH.
"Our goal is to equip arborists with knowledge they need to safely and responsibly navigate the dangers of the COVID-19 crisis while they continue to rapidly respond to the ongoing hazards that downed and damaged trees and invasive species pose to individuals, homes, businesses, and critical services," said Caitlyn Pollihan, Executive Director of ISA in Atlanta, GA.
"Based on input from TCIA and ISA members, we have determined three broad areas of the tree care industry as essential during this national emergency," said Pollihan and White in a joint statement, "Those are the protection of infrastructure, maintaining the public safety of our communities, and protection against the spread of invasive and/or injurious pests."
The joint guidance recommends that each tree care company review its existing scheduled and planned work backlogs to identify specific work activities that are directly related to a client or public safety generally as those should be deemed as essential business activity. Furthermore, the guidance provides a non-exhaustive list of work items, provided by members from both associations, such as utility line clearance, hazardous tree removal, and removal of fire damage or fuel trees in a fire hazard area that members have identified as "essential activities."
ABOUT ISA
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., U.S., is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to promoting the importance of arboriculture and educating the public about the significance of trees and the value of their proper care. As part of ISA's advancing the arboriculture profession, it offers the only internationally‐recognized certification program in the industry, including ISA Certified Arborist ®. For more information about ISA and Certified Arborists, visit http://www.isa-arbor.com.
About TCIA
TCIA is a trade association of 2,300 private tree care firms and affiliated companies with members in all 50 states. Our members provide tree care services to residences, businesses, and municipalities across the country. TCIA's mission is to advance tree care businesses, which we accomplish through education, credentialing, safety training, and advocacy.
SOURCE International Society of Arboriculture
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