Navigating through the Coronavirus has become a daunting process and CAM is here to help you understand how this may affect your business with the building permits process.

First, please ensure that you are following the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) precautionary measures when keeping your business open and your employees safe.  You can find these measures here.  It will give you the best instructions on steps to prevent the illness, what to do if you or an employee becomes sick and what you can do to keep your community safe.

To date, Governor Walz has not outlined an executive order for handling the Coronavirus with the construction industry.  It is important when considering a project where your employees will be working in close proximity that you follow guidelines outlined by the CDC including keeping everyone at least 6 feet away from each other and having hand sanitizer for employees at the worksite. Governor Walz has also extended unemployment benefits for employees affected by the Cornonavirus.  You can find more information here.  There is no guarantee that an employee will be able to draw unemployment benefits.   It is recommended that your business start making plans on how an employee who contracts the virus will be paid.  PLEASE SEE FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM GOVERNOR WALZ BELOW.

You will find a press release below from the Department of Labor and Industry on obtaining permits and inspections.  The League of Minnesota Cities has also proffered guidelines for cities on how to maintain essential services. You will find a link to the League’s suggestions in the communication below. Please note that these are only suggestions, municipalities are allowed to make their own guidelines. Housing First has also been compiling a list of cities and how they are providing timely permits and inspections  You can find a list of the cities and what they are doing here.

With all of this said, it is important to maintain normal business as usual as possible by following the recommendation of the CDC.

Please contact Lisa Frenette at frenettela@gmail.com for further questions.

Help for contractors with obtaining municipal construction inspections
March 18, 2020

The department is communicating with the construction industry and cities, counties and building officials about the need to provide timely construction inspections.

If one of your members encounters a problem obtaining a municipal inspection, we first recommend trying to resolve it with the designated building official or other municipal administrator responsible for providing services. If the building official or municipality  cannot be reached, a staff member from our Enforcement Unit is available for assistance and consultation.

Contact us

Resources

 
Scott McLellan
State Building Official
Construction Codes and Licensing Division
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

 

March 18, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 7:15 PM on 3/18/2020.

By the numbers

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz held a media briefing today to provide an update on Minnesota’s response to COVID-19. He announced that businesses will have a one month interest and penalty-free grace period on the deadline to file sales taxes, which will help alleviate financial strain businesses are facing from COVID-19.

The announcement follows reports that COVID-19 cases rose by 17 from yesterday, to 77 confirmed cases in 16 counties. Overall, the age range of cases is 17 to 71 years, with a median age of 50.

He also highlighted three executive orders he’s signed in recent days, which will:

  • Protect residents and staff in Veterans Homes by restricting all visitors and non-essential personnel except for end of life care.
  • Exempt emergency relief efforts from certain regulations that restrict their ability to provide assistance, including limits on weight and hours of service. The Order allows for the efficient movement of essential supplies, including food, medial supplies and household items.
  • Provide paid leave for all state employees who are unable to work because of COVID-19.

Clarification on Business Closures 

As a reminder, on Monday Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-04 to order the temporary closure of Minnesota restaurants and bars to dine-in customers. He also ordered the temporary closure of other places of public accommodation and amusement, including theaters, museums, fitness centers, and community clubs. Today, he issued a clarification which extends the order to apply to salons, barbershops, and other similar establishments.

“As we move quickly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are constantly learning and adjusting to feedback from health experts, business owners, and workers,” said Governor Walz. “The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to implement social distancing, and this executive order provides clarification on how we can better implement these community mitigation strategies.”

Grand Princess Update 

Finally, Governor Walz today announced that 32 Minnesotans who had been quarantined after leaving the Grand Princess cruise ship have now returned home.

Up-to-date guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Cover your cough.
  • Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.

Resources

Coverage