(enacted to address the COVID-19 Outbreak)
If your question is not answered below, please contact ESD at our website at: https://esd.ny.gov/covid-19-help
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 21, 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.
It is further directed that, no later than March 22, 2020 at 8 p.m., each or-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 100% 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
2. Essential infrastructure including
3. Essential manufacturing including
4. Essential retail including
5. Essential services including
6. News media
7. Financial Institutions including
8. Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations including
9. Construction including
10. Defense
11. Essential services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential businesses including
12. Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care and 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.
Houses of worship are not ordered closed however it is strongly recommended no congregate services be held and social distance maintained.
Every business is strongly urged to maintain social distance to the extent possible, even if designated essential.
To request designation as an essential business, please click here.
Restrictions on requesting designation as an essential business:
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 at http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/docs/cleaning_guidance _general_building.pdf.
For further information: New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Webpage https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Center for Disease Control and Prevention Webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Local health department contact information can be found at: https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/index.htm