FOR THIS HEALTH CRISIS - ARE YOU AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS?

Passing this on:

Dear Industry Partner: Thanks for reaching out to Empire State Development (ESD). The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. It has upended the lives and daily routines of millions of people across the United States – particularly in New York, which has more reported cases of coronavirus than any other state. New York’s business community has felt its dramatic impact, with an extraordinary, temporary closure in order to prioritize the health and safety of the public. As you know, to slow the spread of the virus, businesses were required to reduce their onsite workforce by 100% as of 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Only organizations and entities that are deemed essential by Executive Order 202.6 are exempt from these restrictions. The Executive Order also directed ESD to establish guidance outlining which businesses are considered essential. That guidance has been updated, but is subject to change as the State adapts its response to combating COVID-19. Moving forward, any business and organization that does not fall within the list of essential business industries but believes they should be designated as an essential business must refer to the guidance for this process. Please note, the volume of requests for essential business designation requests has been overwhelming, in many cases from businesses in industries that are clearly listed as essential by the Executive Order. For example, New York State considers “hotels, and places of accommodation” as essential businesses, yet ESD continues to receive hundreds of requests from hotels and motels for unnecessary essential business designation. ESD wants to reinforce several key messages: ·    If your business function is listed as essential, then there is nothing else you need to do. You do not need to contact ESD for affirmative documentation or email confirmation and, due to volume, ESD will be unable to formally confirm to essential businesses that they are, in fact, essential. Given that you are already essential, you will not receive any further communication from ESD. ·    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 restriction. ·    If your business, trade or industry is not on the list, then you are not an essential business. If, however, you believe it is in the best interest of the state to have your workforce continue in order to properly respond to the COVID-19 emergency, you should refer to the guidance for further information.  ESD’s website provides other up-to-date resources and guidance, such as Small Business Administration (SBA) application assistance. We encourage everyone in the business community to follow recommended best practices provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on its website regarding social distancing, disinfecting and cleaning to help prevent community spread. Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to a continued, productive partnership and ensuring New York’s economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever.  ***