In an executive order signed last Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the ceasing of “certain” construction projects considered non-essential across the state.
“All non-essential construction must shut down except emergency construction,” the order said.
“Emergency” construction was further defined as “a project necessary to protect health and safety of the occupants or to continue a project if it would be unsafe to allow to remain undone until it is safe to shut the site.”
“Essential construction” would include roads, bridges, transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or healthcare facilities, affordable housing, and homeless shelters.
The order also maintained that work sites for essential or emergency non-essential construction would still have to maintain social distance or close. Those that violate the order will face fines of up to $10,000 per violation.
An updated executive order signed Sunday clarified the original.
“Construction, which was an essential service not subject to the in-person work restrictions, is modified to provide only certain construction is considered exempt from the in-person restrictions as of March 28, 2020,” the revised order said.
As per the order, the Empire State Development Corporation will determine which construction projects will be essential and thus exempt from the in-person workforce prohibition.
“All continuing construction projects shall utilize best practices to avoid transmission of COVID-19,” the order said.
