Advice for Businesses in Dealing with the Expanding Coronavirus Events

New York Executive Order Requires Businesses to Reduce In-Office Workforce

March 19, 2020

PH COVID-19 Task Force

Today New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed an executive order mandating businesses that rely on in-office personnel to decrease their in-office workforce by 75 percent.[1] The order does not apply to “essential service industries,” which include “shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, healthcare providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions, and other industries critical to the supply chain.” The order is intended to help contain the spread of COVID-19, and follows the Governor’s directive on Wednesday, March 18, which required businesses to decrease their in-office workforce by 50 percent.

[1]  See New York, Office of the Governor, “Governor Cuomo Signs Executive Order Mandating Businesses That Require In-Office Personnel to Decrease In-Office Workforce by 75 Percent,” available at https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-executive-order-mandating-businesses-require-office-personnel-decrease.