Another Update from us on COVID-19

Metro Update / By

We have some new information to share with you:

First, there has been a change in the rules regarding construction that I thought I would share in case they apply to anyone. These changes where made at 11 am today and go into effect immediately. This is from https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026

  • All non-essential construction must shut down except emergency construction, (e.g. 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 may continue and includes roads, bridges, transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or health care facilities, affordable housing, and homeless shelters. At every site, if essential or emergency non-essential construction, this includes maintaining social distance, including for purposes of elevators/meals/entry and exit. Sites that cannot maintain distance and safety best practices must close and enforcement will be provided by the state in coordination with the city/local governments. This will include fines of up to $10,000 per violation.
  • For purposes of this section construction work does not include a single worker, who is the sole employee/worker on a job site.

Victory Pretti has determined that radon testing is a non essential service at this time.

Also, the House just passed the Cares Act. Once it has been signed into law you can go to https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm to file for unemployment if you are a sole proprietor.

There are also loans that are forgivable so they are really grants for the multi- inspector firms but I don’t know where to apply for them yet. This is just a heads up, I will let you do some research once it is law.

One final note: I have been asked how long I think this PAUSE will go on for. The order now runs through April 30th. So at the minimum, it will go until then. Depending on the rate of infection that date could shift out.

I want to thank everyone who has recognized the import role we are playing in slowing this pandemic. I know it is hard to feel like you are doing something important when you are essentially sitting on your hands, but each of us who limits contact with others is potentially saving lives.

 

We are all in this together; six feet apart