No roof has been built yet to avert damage to the construction.
1 reply
Apr 6, 2020
Hello,
Your question goes to the issue of whether Michigan Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-21 (COVID-19) includes an exception for residential contractors. I think the short answer is, Yes, there is a narrow exception for this type of work.
In a series of FAQ's issued to clarify the Governor's Executive Order, the question was addressed this way:
Q: Are people who repair homes considered critical infrastructure employees for the purposes of Executive Order 2020-21?
A: In general, yes. Under the order, critical infrastructure workers include workers “who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.” To the extent your workers perform jobs that are necessary to the safety, sanitation, and operation of homes, they may be designated as critical infrastructure workers.
To read the full text of the FAQ's, click here - https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-522631--,00.html
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Now another residential contractor I know took a different approach. They are treating the partially completed house as "inventory" and view installing the roof as a form "maintaining" their "inventory."
Executive Order 2020-21 includes an exception for maintaining the value of inventory in Section 4(b):
"For purposes of this order, workers who are necessary to conduct minimum basic operations are those whose in-person presence is strictly necessary to allow the business or operation
to maintain the value of inventory
and equipment, care for animals, ensure security, process transactions (including payroll and employee benefits), or facilitate the ability of other workers to work remotely.
"Businesses and operations must determine which of their workers are necessary to conduct minimum basic operations and inform such workers of that designation. Businesses and operations must make such designations in writing, whether by electronic message, public website, or other appropriate means. Such designations, however, may be made orally until March 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm."
However you approach the work, make sure your employees and/or subcontractors and their employees, follow CDC guidelines to mitigate exposure to the coronavirus.
Stay healthy, be safe!