On April 23, 2020, Governor Wolf announced that all businesses in the construction industry in the Commonwealth are permitted to resume “in-person operations” beginning Friday, May 1, 2020. Construction industry businesses include those in new construction, renovation, and repair, as well as land subdivision and design-related field/project site activities.

The Wolf Administration has issued guidance (the “Guidance”) for all construction industry businesses and their employees in anticipation of resuming operations while at the same time mitigating the spread of COVID-19.  The Guidance provides universal protocols for all construction activity, as well as specific additional guidance for residential, commercial, and public construction projects. If you own or manage a construction industry business, you should review these guidelines and ensure such safety protocols are in place before starting up again.

With individuals residing in Allegheny County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County ordered to stay at home with only certain limited exceptions, and non-life sustaining businesses ordered to close, business owners struggle with what to do next.  The full text of the Governor’s order and other related information can be found here.  While there are many unanswered questions and additional guidance is continually being issued, business owners do have resources available to them.  

Pennsylvania Business owners have probably heard that Governor Tom Wolf ordered that all "non-life-sustaining" businesses in Pennsylvania must close their physical locations to slow the spread of COVID-19. This order went into effect last evening. You may be wondering whether your business is “life-sustaining” and may stay open. There is little guidance from the Governor’s office, other than the chart published by the Governor. 

As the coronavirus pandemic extends its grip across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, its effects are felt throughout the practice of law.  The very nature of litigation, the need for witness testimony, advocacy and argument before a tribunal, judge or jury necessarily implicates close personal contact.  While measures to preserve the status quo are certainly necessary, the impact on pending litigation as well as potential new litigation, is developing.