New York State pauses all "non-essential" construction projects

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that construction projects across the state must stop work in order to comply with efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Carving out exceptions for hospital construction, transit infrastructure projects, utility repairs, affordable housing, and homeless shelters, the governor's latest executive order reiterates that construction sites that remain open must do so while "maintaining social distance, including for purposes of elevators/meals/entry and exit."  The directive adds, "Sites that cannot maintain distance and safety best practices must close and enforcement will be provided by the state in coordination with the city/local governments. This will include fines of up to $10,000 per violation." In a press conference covering the contents of the order, Cuomo, as reported by Gothamist, stated, "We're closing now non-essential construction sites. Some construction is essential right? To keep the place running, but non-es...