On March 23, 2020, Governor Northam issued an order limiting public gatherings and events to 10 or fewer people and encouraging social distancing. The order went into effect at 11:59 PM on March 24 and currently remains in place until April 23, 2020. Under the order, recreational and entertainment businesses must close, and restaurants and other restaurants providing food and beverage services may only offer take-out and delivery. Other businesses that remain open must utilize telework as much as possible and otherwise adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing procedures, and apply relevant workplace guidance from state and federal authorities, including CDC, OSHA, and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. As such, construction continues and contractors may continue their operations both in the field and at the office as long as they follow those guidelines.

On March 30, the Governor issued an order that required all individuals in Virginia to remain at home unless engaged in permissible activity such as seeking food, medical attention, or permissible travel subject to social distancing requirements. Permissible travel includes traveling to and from one’s place of work. The March 30 order also extended the duration of the above restrictions to June 10, 2020. The new order did not articulate any changes to the business closures outlined in the March 23 order, and it appears that, like Maryland, Virginia is permitting construction activities to continue.

Executive Order 55:    Virginia EO-55-Temporary-Stay-at-Home-Order-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-1

Executive Order 53:    Virginia EO-53-Temporary-Restrictions-Due-To-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)

The State of Virginia announced restrictions specifically on RESTAURANTS, RECREATIONAL,
ENTERTAINMENT, GATHERINGS, NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL BUSINESSES,
AND CLOSURE OF K-12 SCHOOLS.

See the entire test of the Governor’s Executive Order:

Virginia EO-53-Temporary-Restrictions-Due-To-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)

Updated March 25, 2020: Department of Labor (DOL) has issued its first guidance. See Rees Broome, PC’s DOL Guidance Alert issued on March 25, 2020.
Updated March 25, 2020: DOL has indicated that the effective date is April 1, 2020. It applies to leave taken between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Access the entire document:   March 25, 2020 Updated Guidance for Employers for Amendments to FMLA due to Coronavirus

DC COVID 19 Guidelines for Construction Sites FINAL

The Office of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) within the Department of Employment
Services and the DC Department of Health (DC Health) have been monitoring the ongoing
COVID-19 public health crisis. The latest information and guidance on the District’s COVID-19
response can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov.
Companies need to take proactive measures to ensure their personnel do not report to work sick;
examples include screening employees and provision for use of sick leave. Subcontractors
should be encouraged to do the same. Field teams should maintain constant communication with
their subcontractors and be vigilant for obviously sick persons in the field. Any employees
reporting to work sick should be sent home.