Today, we received a request from Otsego Now, CEO Jody Zakrevsky to share information from the Appalachian Regional Commission…On behalf of the White House, the federal government is seeking manufacturers that can produce critically needed supplies for the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consider taking the survey below TODAY. It will be open until 3/20/2020.
Call Jen Gregory at 607-287-9536 with any questions.
Assemblyman Tague asked that I share the attached with you regarding the Governor’s Executive Order No. 202.6, which states all businesses and not-for-profit entities in the State must reduce their in-person workforce at any work location by 50%.
Please note, as of earlier today, it sounds like this will now change to 75%. As soon as we receive official documentation making this change and providing additional details, we will be sure to send that along.
With that said, here is the relevant workforce reduction information from the original Executive Order:
- Effective on March 20 at 8 p.m.: All businesses and not-for-profit entities in the state shall utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work from home procedures that they can safely utilize. Each employer shall reduce the in-person workforce at any work locations by 50% no later than March 20 at 8 p.m. Any essential business or entity providing essential services or functions shall not be subject to the in-person restrictions. This includes essential health care operations including research and laboratory services; essential infrastructure including utilities, telecommunication, airports and transportation infrastructure; essential manufacturing, including food processing and pharmaceuticals; essential retail including grocery stores and pharmacies; essential services including trash collection, mail, and shipping services; news media; banks and related financial institutions; providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations; construction; vendors of essential services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential businesses; 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;
- Any other business may be deemed essential after requesting an opinion from the Empire State Development Corporation, which shall review and grant such request, should it determine that it is in the best interest of the state to have the workforce continue at full capacity in order to properly respond to this disaster. No later than 5 p.m. on March 19, 2020, Empire State Development Corporation shall issue guidance as to which businesses are determined to be essential.
Empire State Development has set-up the following email address for businesses to ask for exemptions from this workforce reduction order: COVID19BusinessWaiver@esd.ny.gov.
This is certainly a fluid situation and we will do our best to keep you apprised of changing guidance. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any additional questions or concerns.
Regular daily updates will be provided as we continue to gather resources. I encourage businesses that are providing essential services including takeout options to please share your services as I am compiling all resources and adding them to a directory that will be made available on our Chamber website. I have also been sharing member updates via our Chamber Facebook page. I feel communication and updates will keep us all connected to help us all get through this! Stay healthy!
