Georgia follows CISA in Allowing Construction to Continue
Governor Kemp confirms construction activities can continue, by citing to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and its updated Coronavirus Guidance for America on March 28, 2020. CISA clarified construction’s critical role in supporting essential infrastructure
on March 28, 2020, stating:
The advisory identifies workers who conduct a range of operations and services that are typically essential to continued critical infrastructure viability, including staffing operations centers, maintaining and repairing critical infrastructure, operating call centers, working construction, and performing operational functions, among others. It also includes workers who support crucial supply chains and enable functions for critical infrastructure. The industries they support represent, but are not limited to, medical and construction.
Construction activities are included in its list of essential critical infrastructure workers. The guidance makes clear that construction and related activities – including the manufacture and supply/delivery of supplies and equipment, permitting, safety, and inspections of projects – are covered as part of the critical infrastructure and economic activities:
COMMERCIAL FACILITIES
Workers who support the supply chain of building materials from production through application/installation, including cabinetry, fixtures, doors, cement, hardware, plumbing, electrical , heating/cooling , refrigeration, appliances , paint/coatings, and employees who provide services that enable repair materials and equipment for essential functions.
Governor Kemp’s order establishes state-wide uniformity by trumping all city and county municipal orders and laws. The Order also requires that the following measures be implemented immediately by those engaged in construction and other critical infrastructure activities:
Critical infrastructure that continues in-person operation during the effective dates of this order shall implement measures which mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19 among its workforce. Such measures may include, but shall not be limited to:
- Screening and evaluating workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, or shortness of breath;
- Requiring workers who exhibit signs of illness to not report to work or to seek medical attention;
- Enhancing sanitation of the workplace as appropriate;
- Requiring hand washing or sanitation by workers at appropriate places within the business location;
- Providing personal protective equipment as available and appropriate to the function and locations of the worker within the business location;
- Prohibiting gatherings of workers during working hours;
- Permitting workers to take breaks and lunch outside, in their office or personal workspace, or in such other areas where proper social distancing is attainable;
- Implementing teleworking for all possible workers;
- Implementing staggered shifts for all possible workers;
- Holding all meetings and conferences virtually, wherever possible;
- Delivering intangible services remotely wherever possible;
- Discouraging workers from using other worker's phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment;
- Providing disinfectant and sanitation products for workers to clean their workspace, equipment, and tools;
- Prohibiting handshaking and other unnecessary person-to-person contact in the workplace; and
- Placing notices that encourage hand hygiene at the entrance to the workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen; and
- Suspending the use of Personal Identification Number ("PIN") pads, PIN entry devices, electronic signature capture, and any other credit card receipt signature requirements to the extent such suspension is permitted by agreements with credit card companies and credit agencies.
The full text of the order can be found here.