Pinellas County Issues Stay At Home Order, But Finds Constuction to be Essential

In case you hadn’t heard, about an hour ago, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners entered a stay-at-home order that closed non-essential businesses. You can view the final version of the order that was voted on by clicking here. The order goes into effect tomorrow. Thankfully, the construction industry was considered an essential industry, and the following businesses are still allowed to operate:

- Hardware, gardening, and building material stores

- Contractors and other tradesmen, building and apartment management and maintenance (including janitorial companies servicing commercial businesses), home security firms, fire and water damage restoration appliance repair personnel, exterminators, and other service providers (such as landscape and pool maintenance service providers) who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other structures

Most construction work, particularly that being done on an incomplete project, will fit into the category of performing safety, sanitation, or essential operation of residences or other structures. If you are asked about why you are out, you should be able to answer that you are a contractor (or working for one) and that this is the type of work you are doing. Even if your business is not located in Pinellas County, you need to be aware of this if you have any projects in Pinellas County.

Despite this, please take appropriate measures to keep you and your co-workers/employees safe during these times.