Overview of Governor Northam's Phase One Guidelines
Last week, Governor Northam signed Executive Order 61 and presented a framework for the first phase of the “Forward Virginia” plan to safely and gradually ease public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19. The new executive order modifies public health guidance in Executive Order 53 and Executive Order 55 and establishes guidelines for Phase One.
Although the Governor's new Executive Order does not place any additional restrictions on our industry, we wanted to provide you an overview of the recommendations and guidelines for Phase One.
Under Phase One, the Commonwealth will move to a Safer at Home strategy, which continues the ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people and maintains recommendations for social distancing, teleworking, and wearing face coverings. All businesses should make modifications to maintain six feet of physical distancing, increase cleaning and sanitation of high contact surfaces, and provide enhanced workplace safety measures.
Since the initial declaration of a State of Emergency, HBAV has been proactively advocating to keep residential construction “open for business”. In addition to discussions with the Governor’s Administration, we have aggressively distributed information to our members about the polices and procedures necessary to ensure that construction sites did not become transmission sites for COVID-19. Builders, developers, and the various trades proactively implemented the recommended public health measures, which has allowed construction to continue in the Commonwealth.
Although the Governor’s Executive Order has “eased” some restrictions, HBAV is strongly urging our members to continue employing social distancing, sanitation, and other measures that limit unnecessary person-to-person contact.
