Governor Inslee: ‘Construction is Not Considered an Essential Activity’
The Building Industry Association (BIA) released this statement today:
Today, Gov. Jay Inslee issued official guidance that “construction is not considered an essential activity” in the Stay-at-Home Order he announced on Monday. As a result, all construction – residential and commercial – must shut down during the two weeks in which the order is in place.
Beginning at midnight tonight, Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2020, when the order takes effect, no construction will be allowed until at least April 8, 2020. The only exception for residential construction is for emergency repairs. The order could also be extended.
Gov. Inslee is one of only two governors who have issued a statewide “Stay at Home” order that does not designate housing construction as “essential.”
Section 3 (Point d) of the Order does allow businesses to secure their jobsites and equipment following the order taking effect tonight:
“For purposes of this Proclamation, minimum basic operations are the minimum activities necessary to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, preserve the condition of the business’ physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences, and related functions.”
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Thank you, Earnie, very much for your consistent & helpful updates. You’re appreciated.
How can he declare residential housing as nonessential? Does he for a moment understand how many housing uints are being constructed across the state, and the family’s waiting to occupy those units… multi housing, single family, apartment complexes, and commercial. By your actions Governor your harming Washington familys,, and the voters WILL hold you accountable on November for your heartless actions.. It must make you proud to return to the people’s and a pay check and a full refrigerator every evening…
In Washougal WA I saw construction/ landscaping going on on upper scale homes while I was walking every day this week with large crews. If I see today I will say something to crew unless they don’t care then will call the company.
To me, from how you worded this issue, it’s not “gray area” it’s “his order goes back and forth”. Kind of a “damned if you do damned if you don’t “. Common sense is to finish these jobs to where they will protect, distribute and get them done to protect your company’s revenues. I’d send this issue to POTUS as Inslee just isn’t handling this well at all.