New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered a halt to all construction in the state that is not an emergency.
The order, revised March 27, is a reversal from the state’s shutdown guidelines issued the week prior, which included construction among “essential businesses” able to continue working. All nonessential businesses were ordered to close March 21 to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The revised order still permits construction if it is an emergency or if it would be unsafe to allow the work to remain undone, in which case job sites must close as soon as the site is made safe.
Companies that violate the shutdown order can face fines of up to $10,000 per violation, according to the order.
Cuomo’s original decision to permit construction was criticized by some workers and elected officials, who argued the social distancing guidelines in place were next to impossible to maintain on certain job sites, according to Politico. Cases of COVID-19 have also been reported on some construction sites in the state, according to the report.
