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On March 18, 2020, Executive Order 202.6 (or as revised)
directed that all businesses and not-for-profit entities in New York
State, shall utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting
or work from home procedures that they can safely utilize.
It is directed that, no later than March 20, 2020 at 8
p.m., each for-profit or not-for profit employer (excluding state and
local governments and authorities) shall reduce the in-person workforce
at each business/work location by 75% from pre-state of emergency
declaration employment levels.
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES OR ENTITIES, including any for
profit or non-profit, regardless of the nature of the service, the
function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure, are not
subject to the in-person restriction. (Essential Businesses must
continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a
clean and safe work environment issued by the Department of Health).
This guidance is issued by the New York State Department
of Economic Development d/b/a Empire State Development and applies to
each business location individually and is intended to assist
businesses in determining whether they are an essential business and
steps to request such designation. With respect to business or
entities that operate or provide both essential and non-essential
services, supplies or support, only those lines and/or business
operations that are necessary to support the essential services,
supplies, or support are exempt from the restrictions.
For purposes of Executive Order 202.6, “Essential
Business,” means:
1. Essential health care operations including
·
research and laboratory
services
·
hospitals
·
walk-in-care health
facilities
·
veterinary and animal
health services
·
elder care
·
medical wholesale and
distribution
·
home health care workers
or aides
·
doctor and dentist
offices
·
nursing homes, or
residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
·
medical supplies and
equipment providers
2. Essential infrastructure including
·
utilities including power
generation, fuel supply and transmission
·
public water and
wastewater
·
telecommunications and
data centers
·
airports/airlines
·
transportation
infrastructure such as bus, rail, or for-hire vehicles, garages
3. Essential manufacturing including
·
food processing,
including all foods and beverages
·
chemicals
·
medical
equipment/instruments
·
pharmaceuticals
·
safety and sanitary
products
·
telecommunications
·
microelectronics/semi-conductor
·
agriculture/farms
·
paper products
4. Essential retail including
·
grocery stores including
all food and beverage stores
·
pharmacies
·
convenience stores
·
farmer’s markets
·
gas stations
·
restaurants/bars (but
only for take-out/delivery)
·
hardware and building
material stores
5. Essential services including
·
trash and recycling
collection, processing and disposal
·
mail and shipping
services
·
laundromats/dry cleaning
·
building cleaning and
maintenance
·
child care services
·
auto repair
·
warehouse/distribution
and fulfillment
·
funeral homes,
crematoriums and cemeteries
·
storage for essential
businesses
·
animal shelters or animal
care or management
6. News media
7. Financial Institutions including
·
banks
·
insurance
·
payroll
·
accounting
8. Providers of basic necessities to economically
disadvantaged populations including
·
homeless shelters and
congregate care facilities
·
food banks
·
human services providers
whose function includes the direct care of patients in
state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection,
custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in
state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community
shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct
care or support
9. Construction including
·
skilled trades such as
electricians, plumbers
·
other related
construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or
for emergency repair and safety purposes
10. Defense
·
defense and natural
security-related operations supporting the U.S. Government or a
contractor to the US government
11. Essential services necessary to maintain the safety,
sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential
businesses including
·
law enforcement
·
fire prevention and
response
·
building code enforcement
·
security
·
emergency management and
response
·
building cleaners or
janitors
·
general maintenance
whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
·
automotive repair
·
disinfection
·
doormen
12. Vendors that provide essential services or products,
including logistics and technology support, child care and services
needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and
provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public including
·
logistics
·
technology support
·
child care programs and
services
·
government owned or
leased buildings
·
essential government
services
If the function of your business is not listed above,
but you believe that it is essential or it is an entity providing
essential services or functions, you may request designation as an
essential business.
Businesses should only request such a designation if
they are NOT covered by the guidance above.
To request designation as an essential business, please click here.
Restrictions on requesting designation as an essential
business:
·
Any business that only
has a single occupant/employee (i.e. gas station) has been deemed
exempt and need not submit a request to be designated as an essential
business.
·
Businesses ordered to
close on Monday, March 15, 2020 under the restrictions on any gathering
with 500 or more participants, including but not limited to, bars,
restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, casinos, auditoriums, concerts,
conferences, worship services, sporting events, and physical fitness
centers, are presumed to be compliant with NYS issued restrictions and
must remain closed and are not eligible for designation as an essential
business for purposes of this guidance.
For Guidance on cleaning and disinfection of facilities,
refer to the New York State Department of Health Interim Guidance for
Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for
COVID -19, please click here.
For further information:
New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Webpage, click here.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention Webpage, click here.
Ulster County health department contact information can
be found here.
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