Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impact on Union Pacific
Updated: Aug. 16, 2022
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Railroads Are a Critical Part of America's Infrastructure
Railroads play a critical role in ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. They deliver the materials that power hospitals, stock grocery shelves, purify water, make medicine and feed livestock. Functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health and safety as well as community well-being. Certain critical infrastructure industries have a special responsibility in these times to continue operations.
Business Continuity Plans
Union Pacific initiated a cross-departmental pandemic planning team that developed business continuity plans for the possibility of a pandemic, including identifying employees essential to maintaining operations. A core team of health and safety professionals are on hand to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, including COVID-19.
Our rail network is currently fluid as there are no areas impacted for service due to COVID-19. Recently, the U.S., Canada and Mexico governments agreed to border restrictions on non-essential travel. These border closures do not apply to freight shipments related to international trade. We do not expect any impacts to shipments crossing the border at this time.
Union Pacific is asking customers for notification of expected freight shipment timing and quantities to ensure resources are properly positioned when needed. Understanding customer surges helps us provide the transportation solutions to keep each customer’s supply chain running smoothly.
Employees
Union Pacific is dedicated to maintaining a healthy workplace and following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for businesses. We issued guidance to employees regarding best practices to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus and have a core team of health and safety professionals prepared to respond to a potential outbreak. Union Pacific is restricting all non-essential company travel for employees.
- COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures - Union Pacific is implementing the following measures to maintain a healthy environment for employees at facilities across its network.
UP Center Visitor Access Form
All visitors to Union Pacific Center must print and fill out the following form and provide it to the 2nd Floor guard's desk upon arrival. Hard copies of the form also will be available at the guard's desk.
Previous Updates
- Status of the Railroad - A Message from Kenny Rocker, EVP, Marketing & Sales April 23, 2020
- UP Distributing Cloth Face Coverings April 15, 2020
- UP Joins Forces with Omaha Distillery to Make Hand Sanitizer April 8, 2020
- COVID-19 and the Status of the Railroad - A Message from Kenny Rocker, EVP, Marketing & Sales April 1, 2020
- America's Lifeline: Supplying Communities with the Goods to Survive a Pandemic March 27, 2020
- COVID-19 Economic Relief Act Extends Unemployment Insurance Guarantees for Railroaders March 27, 2020
- UP Donates 6,600 N95 Masks to Nebraska Medical Center March 25, 2020