Coronavirus News: What is considered an 'essential service' in New York state?

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Coronavirus News: What is considered an 'essential service' in New York state?
Coronavirus News: What is considered an 'essential service' in New York state?CeFaan Kim has the details.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- All non-essential businesses statewide shut down in-office personnel functions in New York on Sunday.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a 100% workforce reduction for all non-essential businesses statewide last week as cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus continue to grow.

Essential businesses are not subject to the restriction.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Among the things that will be open are your cable and TV providers to make sure you can keep watching Eyewitness News.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED 'ESSENTIAL?'

1. Essential Health Care Operations, Including:

research and laboratory services

hospitals

walk-in-care health facilities

emergency veterinary and livestock services

elder care

medical wholesale and distribution

home health care workers or aides for the elderly

doctor and emergency dental

nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities

medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers

2. Essential Infrastructure, Including:

utilities including power generation, fuel supply, and transmission

public water and wastewater

telecommunications and data centers

airports/airlines

transportation infrastructure such as bus, rail, or for-hire vehicles, garages

hotels, and places of accommodation

3. Essential Manufacturing, Including:

food processing, manufacturing agents, including all foods and beverages

chemicals

medical equipment/instruments

pharmaceuticals

sanitary products

telecommunications

microelectronics/semi-conductor

agriculture/farms

household paper products

4. Essential Retail, Including:

grocery stores including all food and beverage stores

pharmacies

convenience stores

farmer's markets

gas stations

restaurants/bars (but only for take-out/delivery)

hardware and building material stores

5. Essential Services, Including:

trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal

mail and shipping services

laundromats

building cleaning and maintenance

child care services

auto repair

warehouse/distribution and fulfillment

funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries

storage for essential businesses

animal shelters

6. News Media

7. Financial Institutions, Including:

banks

insurance

payroll

accounting

services related to financial markets

8. Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations, Including:

homeless shelters and congregate care facilities

food banks

human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody, and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support

9. Construction, Including:

skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers

other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes

10. Defense

defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the US government

11. Essential Services Necessary to Maintain the Safety, Sanitation and Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses, Including:

law enforcement

fire prevention and response

building code enforcement

security

emergency management and response

building cleaners or janitors

general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor

automotive repair

disinfection

12. Vendors that Provide Essential Services or Products, Including Logistics and Technology Support, Child Care and Services:

broadband and cable services

logistics

technology support for online services

child care programs and services

government-owned or leased buildings

essential government services

Houses of worship are not ordered closed however it is strongly recommended no congregate services be held and social distance maintained.

Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet.

INTERACTIVE: What we know about COVID-19 - US map, prevention, cases

Latest Coronavirus News

Latest news on coronavirus in New York and New York City

Latest news on the New Jersey coronavirus cases

----------

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More New York City news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.