NYC Mayor de Blasio To Ask for Clarification Around Essential Construction
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference on March 16.
Photo courtesy NYC Mayor's Office
New York City and the state have ordered non-essential businesses to close due to the novel coronavirus, but so far, construction has been considered essential. That might change, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio indicated during a local television interview.
According to a transcript released March 24, Errol Louis of NY1's "Inside City Hall" show asked de Blasio why construction sites that didn't seem essential were still open around the city.
De Blaiso conceded that "some construction is much more vital than others," and added he would talk with the Cuomo administration "to see if there's going to be further clarification on that."
The mayor added that "construction is outdoors, it does not pose the same health threat given the nature of this disease as something indoors. But I understand the concern."
According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "New York State on PAUSE" executive order signed March 20, "construction" is an essential business, "including: skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers" and "other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes."
The executive order does not specify whether any types of construction work or projects are considered non-essential.
For the full transcript of the "Inside City Hall" episode, click here.
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