To prevent the further spreading of Coronavirus, New York City closed non-essential businesses such as restaurants and bars. Also, schools were closed as a part of the prevention strategy. Furthermore, NYC lawmakers are planning to suspend all non-essential construction projects.
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NYC City Council Members are Urging the Suspension of all Construction Projects
Private construction companies in NYC are continuing with on-site work, refusing to fall victim to the construction moratorium. As the US is trying to close all non-essential businesses and stop all construction projects except the urgent projects such as building hospitals, some sectors are still refusing to fall under the suspension. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams together with the members of the City Council, Carlos Manchaca, and Brad Lander are urging the Department of Buildings to follow the example of other cities in the US and prohibit all non-essential construction projects.
New Residential and Commercial Construction to Be Prohibited in NYC
As the Public Advocate and City Council members are writing to Mayor Bill de Blasio, assuring the Mayor of NYC that they are aware of the fact that construction is a “core component” of New York City. However, the collective is calling for the suspension of all non-essential construction projects during the Coronavirus outbreak. Some construction projects, such as urgent repairs on residential homes and buildings should still be allowed. Additionally, urgent projects such as building hospitals, shelters for homeless and work on public buildings should still be allowed during the COVID-19 fallout.
Coronavirus Construction Moratorium
As the majority of the labor force is advised to stay home and work remotely, the Department of Buildings is advising construction companies and contractors to take the necessary precautions so that the spreading of the virus could be stopped. In the meantime, the president of the New York Building Congress, claims that construction moratorium would be “a dangerous” call.
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