Wednesday, March 25, 2020
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OUR INDUSTRY REMAINS CAUTIOUSLY OPERATIONAL
There have been so many orders and news releases and articles that it is HARD to keep up with what is real and what isn't during this crazy time. That's why, everyday, at the BIA we're watching the Mayor's Press Conference, the Governor's Press Conference, the President, and any other releases we get from local governments. We're tracking all that information so you don't have to - and then we're sending you what you need to know. As a BIA member, we want you to have access to the information most important to your business.
Right now, businesses providing "construction or maintenance of residential, commercial, or governmental structures, including but not limited to plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, landscaping, moving and relocation services, necessary for sustain the safety, sanitation and operation of structures may remain open."
Right now.
But that comes with a BIG responsibility.
As a business that may remain operational, you MUST adhere to the following requirements:
- Ensure physical separation of employees and customers by at least 6 ft. when possible
- Ensure employees practice appropriate hygiene measures including regular, thorough hand washing or access to hand sanitizer
- Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Permitting employees to work from home when feasible
- Identifying any sick employees and ask them to leave the premises
- Post signage forbidding sick persons onto the job site (a sample may be found here)
You can - and should - also institute practices that screen employees for illness. Whether you use a questionnaire or ask them to report their temperature when they report to work, there are measures you can take as an employer to ensure your staff is healthy.
Again - you MUST adhere to these requirements or our entire industry may not be able to continue to operate. If you see our industry partners not adhering to these types of requirements, please urge them to do so. Immediately.
If you cannot adhere to these requirements and feel you must make other decisions for your business, please know that there are some resources available to you. The
Small Business Administration has disaster relief loans (not grants) available. Take advantage of these opportunities while they are there - they may not be available in the coming months.
We've never been here before - and hopefully we'll never be here again. In the meantime, as I said yesterday, assess your business. Call your banks. Call your insurance company. Call your suppliers. Try to develop a plan for your business so you can operate after this storm passes.
At the BIA, we're here for you.
Call me or email me with any questions or help you may need. No matter the topic. If you've called me with a general question and I haven't answered yet - please know that means that we're still trying to find the truthful answer.
Stay safe out there,
Juva
Juva Barber
BIA of Greater Louisville
502 458 0032 - mobile
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Governor Beshear Executive Order
Non-life-sustaining business to close to in-person service
“With the rise in cases and knowing that these next probably two weeks are going to be some of the most important, we are going to take the next step; so effective Thursday at 8 p.m. we are going to be asking all non-life-sustaining businesses to close to in-person traffic,” Gov. Beshear said. “Even for those who are going to be excepted under this order, we are going to mandate that type of social distance that we have to see out there to protect our people.”
Gov. Beshear said the order will be out on Wednesday to give businesses more guidance. He said many businesses provide life-sustaining services and will be allowed to stay open, even though they must maintain social distancing.
The businesses that can stay open include: grocery stores, drug stores and pharmacies, banks,
hardware stores
, agricultural operations, gas stations, media, businesses needed for transportation, logistics, shipping, delivery and pick-up,
housing, building and construction
, laundry, financial services, home-based care and services, professional services, manufacturing and other businesses key to national interests or life-sustaining goods or services, and those covered under the
federal critical infrastructure sector
.
The governor said most professional services, including attorneys, accountants and those in real estate, can be performed at home.
As he said previously, restaurants can remain open for delivery, curbside pickup and even carry out if they follow guidelines on social distancing.
Failure to practice social distancing can result in penalties or business closures. You can read the governor's full executive order
here.
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Update from Louisville Metro
Mayor Greg Fischer has extended to the state of emergency to Sunday, May 10, 2020. In light of this, the Department of Planning & Design Services staff are reviewing the list of board and commission meetings scheduled to occur before that date, as well as the individual cases on each docket. We will inform applicants and residents about the status of specific cases and meetings as decisions are made.
Thank you for your support and understanding. If you have questions, call Develop Louisville at 502-574-6230 or call your case manager.
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BIA Builders | Teleconference Meeting
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Time: 3:00 PM
Call in Information:
To call in, the dial in number is: 425 436 6200
Access code: 166920#
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BIA Remodelers | Teleconference Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Time: 3:00 PM
Call in Information:
To call in, the dial in number is: 425 436 6200
Access code: 166920#
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BIA Rental Issues | Teleconference Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 2, 2020
Time: 3:00 PM
Call in Information:
To call in, the dial in number is: 425 436 6200
Access code: 166920#
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From NAHB
Construction Industry Safety Coalition Recommendations:
COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan for Construction
The purpose of this plan is to outline the steps that every employer and employee can take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The plan describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures to be taken on the jobsite, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and what to do if a worker becomes sick.
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Watch Governor Beasher's Daily COVID-19 Live Updates and Past Updates
Watch Mayor Greg Fischer's Daily COVID-19 Live Updates and Past Updates
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BIA Scheduled Events:
- May Member Networking Event U of L Baseball Game - Cancelled
- Jeptha Creed Member/Guest Mixer - Postponed
- BICF Day of Service - Postponed
- BIA Day at the Downs - Postponed | New Date, Wednesday, September 2, 2020
- Tour of New Homes - Cancelled
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If you aren't already, please make sure you are following our social media platforms below:
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As a reminder, our office will be closed from Monday, March 16th through at least Friday, March 27, 2020. We will continue to assess the situation and follow recommendations from the CDC, the Governor’s office, the Kentucky Department of Health, as well as the Mayor’s office and Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness.
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Building Industry of Greater Louisville | (502) 429-6000
1000 N. Hurstbourne Pkwy. Louisville, KY 40223 | www.bialouisville.com
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