April 1, 2020
Today we have an update for Maine and Massachusetts. Others will follow as they become available. Please stay safe and well during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
| Maine Update Governor Janet Mills issued a series of substantial new mandates to protect public health and safety in the face of COVID-19, including a Stay Healthy at Home. This directive requires people living in Maine to stay at home at all times unless for an essential job or an essential personal reason – such as obtaining food, medicine, health care or other necessary purposes. The order includes an Essential Service Designation. This updated list designates industrial manufacturing as well as construction and maintenance of essential infrastructure as essential businesses. At this time, you are able to submit an Essential Service Designation Request. This will request that the service your business provides be deemed as essential. |
Massachusetts Update
This update was provided by Kenny & Sams
Governor Baker RevisesNon-Essential Business Emergency Order: Effective April 1, 2020, Noon
All Private Construction Unrelated To Housing, Critical Infrastructure or COVID-19 Shut Down
As the coronavirus continues to sweep across the country, and as Massachusetts and federal authorities seek to curtail business and social activity to “flatten the curve,” Governor Baker issued a major update to his March 23, 2020 Order that required all non-essential businesses to cease in person operation.
On March 31, 2020, the Baker Administration issued a revised Order that significantly redefines what construction work will constitute “essential services.” The Governor’s initial Order defined essential construction workers as: “Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction).” That changes with the revised Order.
Effective April 1, 2020 at noon, Governor Baker’s updated “COVID-19 Essential Services” list will prohibit all construction in the Commonwealth except construction essential to housing (including mixed use projects with housing) and critical infrastructure. Workers performing housing construction related activities will remain “essential services” as part of the Baker Administration’s continued focus on combatting the Commonwealth’s existing housing supply shortage. The Order prohibits, among other projects, construction involving strictly commercial buildings while allowing work related to housing of any type.
Please note, however, that even construction services still deemed “essential services” may be subject to tighter municipal restrictions, including those issued by Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. The full list of revised “essential services” can be found here .
