It’s a difficult time to be in the labor force right now. COVID-19 continues to rip economies apart as confirmed cases in the US approach 200,000 — a number that continues to rise unabated. With national, state, and local governments doing everything they can to slow the spread, many have resorted to passing “stay-at-home” mandates and orders for all businesses to cease operation unless it is considered an “essential industry.” But what does “essential” mean, exactly? And what does it mean for construction?

Current state mandates for construction