Rockbridge

March 23, 2020

COVID-19

NY coronavirus order for businesses to close: what’s considered essential, non-essential?

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday all non-essential businesses must close or have employees work from home.

Cuomo’s latest directive followed orders for businesses to reduce the in-person workforce by 25 to 75% in recent days. The 100% workforce reduction goes into effect on Sunday at 8 p.m.

The order has many asking: What’s considered essential work and what’s not?

The state is asking all businesses that are not on the list to close or have employees work from home beginning Sunday. Business owners who believe their in-person services are essential can ask to be added by contacting Empire State Development.

Businesses allowed to remain open are asked to implement social distancing rules of at least six feet.

The state is updating the list as circumstances change during the coronavirus pandemic, so check back for the most up-to-date information. Syracuse.com is keeping track. Check back for up-to-date information.

(See further below for a list of businesses that have been explicitly ordered to close.)

List of essential businesses (allowed to remain open):

Healthcare

  • Research and laboratory services
  • Hospitals
  • Walk-in care health facilities
  • Emergency veterinary and livestock services
  • Elder care
  • Medical wholesale and distribution
  • Home health care workers and aides for the elderly
  • Doctor and emergency dental services
  • Nursing homes, residential health care facilities, congregate care facilities
  • Medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers

Infrastructure / Transportation

  • Utilities (power generation, fuel supply and transmission)
  • Public water and wastewater
  • Telecommunications and data centers
  • Airports and airlines
  • Bus, rail, for-hire vehicles, garages
  • Hotels and accommodations

Manufacturing

  • Food processing and manufacturing (food and beverage)
  • Chemicals
  • Medical equipment and instruments
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Safety and sanitary products
  • Telecommunications
  • Microelectronics and semiconductors
  • Agriculture and farms
  • Household paper products

Retail

  • Grocery stores (all food and beverage stores)
  • Pharmacies
  • Convenience stores
  • Farmer’s markets
  • Gas stations
  • Restaurants and bars (take-out / delivery only)
  • Food delivery services
  • Hardware and building material stores

Services

  • Trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal
  • Mail and shipping
  • Laundromats
  • Building cleaning and maintenance
  • Child care
  • Automotive repair
  • Warehouse (distribution and fulfillment)
  • Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries (no ceremonies)
  • Storage (for essential businesses)
  • Animal shelters

Finance & Technology

  • Banks
  • Insurance
  • Payroll
  • Accounting
  • Finance markets services
  • Logistics
  • Technology support

Construction

  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Emergency repair
  • Construction related to essential infrastructure and safety

Safety

  • Law enforcement
  • Fire prevention and response
  • Building code enforcement
  • Security
  • Emergency management and response
  • Defense and national security (U.S. government and contractors)

Sanitation

  • Building cleaners and janitors
  • General maintenance
  • Disinfection

Other

  • News media
  • Homeless shelters
  • Human services providers, basic needs providers and others serving economically disadvantaged populations
  • Congregate care facilities
  • Food banks
  • Residential facilities
  • Doormen
  • Essential government services
  • Government-owned or leased buildings

Non-essential businesses (not eligible for “essential” designation)

  • Barbershops and hair salons
  • Tattoo and piercing salons
  • Nail salons
  • Other personal care service such as hair removal businesses
  • Casinos
  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Movie theaters
  • Auditoriums, concerts
  • Conferences
  • Retail shopping malls
  • Amusement parks
  • Bowling alleys
  • Sporting events and stadiums
  • Worship services (places of worship are not ordered closed but are asked to uphold social distancing rules and to not hold gatherings)

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