Updated: May 25, 2018:

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COVID-19 Shutdown Orders Allow Construction Work To Proceed In Some States But Not In Others (Updated) - JD Supra

How is Microsoftthe worlds most-influential enterprise-tech companythinking about the future of business?

Where does CEO Satya Nadella see the post-COVID-19 world headed? Where are the opportunities, the traps and the possibilities?

Nadella touched on all of these subjects in this weeks fiscal Q3 earnings call as Microsoft, the #1 company on my Cloud Wars Top 10 rankings, posted quarterly enterprise-cloud revenue of $13.3 billion, up 40%.

Here are 10 of Nadellas most-compelling insights from that call. (The full transcript is on MotleyFool.com.)

As COVID-19 impacts every aspect of our work and life, we have seen two years worth of digital transformation in two months. From remote teamwork and learning, to sales and customer service, to critical cloud infrastructure and security, we are working alongside customers every day to help them stay open for business in a world of remote everything. There is both immediate surge demand, and systemic, structural changes across all of our solution areas that will define the way we live and work going forward.

We saw more than 200 million meeting participants in a single day this month, generating more than 4.1 billion meeting minutes. Teams now has more than 75 million daily active users the number of organizations integrating their third-party and line of business apps with Teams has tripled in the past two months 20 organizations with more than 100,000 employees are now using Teams, including Continental AG, Ernst & Young, Pfizer, and SAP.

From Twilio, to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to more than 10,000 engineers at Daimler, GitHub is where developers go from idea to code and code to cloud. Developers are also collaborating on mission-critical projects, from tracking the spread of COVID-19, to implementing contact tracing, to helping expand access to personal protective equipment. We are bringing GitHub to even more developers, making core features free for the first time for teams of any size.

Dynamic 365 is helping thousands of organizations accelerate digital transformation as they remote every part of the operation, from manufacturing, to supply chain management, to sales and customer service, inclusive of new scenarios like curbside pickup, contactless shopping, remote customer assistance and operations. Patagonia is using Dynamics 365 Commerce to rapidly move to new, more intelligent distribution and fulfillment models, including contactless shopping. And we are working with card issuers like American Express so merchants who use Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection can reduce fraudulent activity as they process more transactions online.

In field service, the worlds largest commercial real estate services firm, CBRE, is using Dynamics 365 Remote Assist to help keep its life-sciences tenants labs fully operational from afar. And, enterprise software company C3.ai, founded by Tom Siebel, shifted its entire sales force to Dynamics 365 Sales in less than two weeks.

In AI, customers are applying our comprehensive portfolio of tools, services, and infrastructure to address unique challenges, including those created by COVID-19. In healthcare, we are seeing compute, data, and AI come together to help speed up response, from testing to therapeutics and vaccine development.

Healthcare providers have created more than 1,400 bots using our Healthcare Bot service, helping more than 27 million people access critical healthcare information. The Centers for Disease Control is using the Healthcare Bot to help people self-assess for coronavirus symptoms. Adaptive Biotechnologies is using our tools to decode the immune systems response to the virus. And ImmunityBio is using more than 24 petaflops of computing power on our cloud to help researchers build models in days, instead of months. Enterprises are using our Speech Service to manage a record influx of customer service inquiries, including Poste Italiane, which is using it to automatically respond to nearly 170,000 calls per day.

Overall, the perspective we take, the approach we take is really to be there for our customers at their time of most acute need. So we dont go in there with the mindset of what does it mean for our revenue. I mean this thing that Id always say, which is when our customers do well well do well on a long-term basis. Thats at the core of our business model. Thats the core of how we approach it.

I think there are three phases here and there is overlap.

There is no question that moving to the public cloud, even at a time like this, is just capital efficient. If you think about, for any business, the conversations we are havingand even for businesses that are having tough economic cyclesone of the smartest things that anyone can do, and we want to be very helpful in those conversations, is to transition to the efficient frontier as quickly as possible so that they can have more agility, more elasticity and better unit economics coming out of this or even while youre in this crisis. So I think the migration to the cloud is absolutely a secular shift.

But at the same time, the architecture of the cloud itself is going to be both the cloud and the edge. So its not just about migrating off-premise, but its also about being able to have an architecture that supports the needs where edge-compute is increasingly going to be very important.

Its actually very important to have the ability in a very agile way as a business to be able to move on your business-process needs. So for example if you are a retailer and you now need to do contactless shopping, that is something that, for example, Dynamics is going to support for you to be able to use even commodity cameras with AI modules with all of it helping with our data model that supports our shopping inside of physical stores or curbside pickup or even remote assistance

So as long as business applications like ours with Dynamics 365 address the immediate pressing needs, these are project starts that will happen because in some sense thats the way for economic activity to return. But at the same time I think business applications that perhaps have longer lead in terms of implementation, people are probably going to take some more time to decide on it, but whereas we think we are well positioned to capture the new scenarios.

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella: 10 Thoughts on the Post-COVID-19 World - Cloud Wars

Recent Trends In High Speed Oven Market 2020: Scenario Highlighting Major Drivers, Explores New Growth Opportunities, Developments and Future Forecasts To 2029

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Click Here to Buy High Speed Oven Market Report: https://market.us/request-covid-19/?report_id=20859

High Speed Oven Market Introduction

DefinitionTaxonomyResearch Scope

Executive Summary

Key Findings by Major SegmentsTop strategies by Major Players

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High Speed Oven Market Dynamics

DriversOpportunitiesRestraintsChallenges

PESTLE AnalysisOpportunity Map AnalysisPORTERS Five Forces AnalysisMarket Competition Scenario AnalysisProduct Life Cycle AnalysisOpportunity OrbitsManufacturer Intensity Map

Global High Speed Oven Market Value (US$ Mn), Share (%), and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Type

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Global High Speed Oven Market Value (US$ Mn), Share (%), and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Application

Global High Speed Oven Market Analysis by Application: IntroductionGlobal High Speed Oven Market Size and Forecast by Region

Global High Speed Oven Market Value (US$ Mn), Share (%), and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by RegionGlobal High Speed Oven Market Competitive Landscape, Market Share Analysis, and Company Profiles

Market Share AnalysisCompany Profiles

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Assumptions and AcronymsResearch MethodologyContact

View High Speed Oven Market Report TOC In detail: https://market.us/report/high-speed-oven-market/#toc

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Mr. Benni JohnsonMarket.us (Powered By Prudour Pvt. Ltd.)Tel: +1 718 618 4351.Email: [emailprotected]

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High Speed Oven Market Estimated COVID-19 outbreak impact on Global growth in 2020-2029 - Cole of Duty

The Herald

Elliot Ziwira Senior WriterIn colonial Rhodesia, the city was the colonist, the oppressor, the master, the white mans strong forte from which he debarred the African whom he reduced to a wayfarer who could only stay at the settlers largesse as a trader of sweat, blood and toil.

The black mans abode was an infertile and measly space somewhere in the Tribal Trust Lands of lack where neither school, hospital, rains, clinic nor life could be found without having to eke it out.

Without a voice in the running of his affairs, either by himself or through representation, the Africans idea of councils, and how they should be run was a reflection on the white mans face as he routinely handed him the pass that spelt out his place in a colonial setup where even the consumption of liquor was regulated according to race. The advent of Independence in 1980, therefore, gave the African more than a nation; it gave him humanity through recognition of his right to being, unrestricted by race, ethnicity and creed.

Since Independence in 1980, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has committed to the promotion of local governance tenets that recognise the rights of citizens to determine the way they are governed with the aim to change outcomes for the common good.

In view of that goal, the ministry administers 32 Acts of Parliament; the Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) and Local Government Board; and has the public transport utility, the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO), under its ambit. It also approves and issues licences and permits as provided for by Acts of Parliament, namely; Liquor Act (Chapter 14:12), Development Permits (Section 29) Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), Sub-division Permits (Section 40) Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), Change of Reservation Permits (Section 49) Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), Local and Master Plans Approval (Section 16) Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), and Sub- approval of division of State land (Section 43) Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12).

Zimbabwe has 32 urban councils and 60 Rural District Councils (RDCs) which fall under the ministry.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is headed by Honourable July Moyo who is deputised by Honourable Marian Chombo with Mr Zvinechimwe Ruvinga Churu as the Permanent Secretary.

MandateInspired by the vision to attain sound local governance and quality-built environment by 2030, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works obligation to citizens is to promote comprehensive local governance, undertake and coordinate rural and urban development to enhance the socio economic development of Zimbabwe.

FunctionsAmong others, the ministrys purposes are to; formulate, regulate and monitor policies that promote sound local governance, facilitate devolution; formulate, review and implement spatial planning and State land management policies; manage and coordinate orderly spatial development; coordinate disaster mitigation and preparedness planning to promote efficient response and resilience to disasters; and initiate, promote and implement Urban and Rural development projects and programmes.

The ministry also endeavours to coordinate Central and Local government programmes and expansion initiatives; promote and facilitate an efficient urban public transport management system; facilitate effective operations and traditional leaders; coordinate, administer and manage all disasters; manage and account for the National Civil Protection Fund.

To achieve its mandate, the ministry aims to formulate and monitor implementation of sound national housing amenities policies at the household, business centre and growth point levels; develop and implement strategies that ensure rural and urban development in consultation with relevant ministries and other stakeholders; manage and maintain Government Real Estate; provide office accommodation to Government; and provide professional and technical advice to smaller local authorities on building construction and engineering services.

A glimpse into the colonial planners officeIn the colonial planners mind the African was a second class citizen with neither rights, culture nor history. Therefore, the local governance structures reflected that bias as they were premised on a racially-based system of othering. The African as the other had to live in areas set aside for him where beerhalls outnumbered clinics and schools, and rural district councils were impoverished abodes.

The idea of Tribal Trusts Lands (Reserves), Native Lands, or African Councils and later District Councils was to differentiate local governance initiatives basing on race with infrastructural development assuming colonial garb.

Urban areas were for colonists and blacks could only temporarily visit as labourers, and once sapped of energy they had to retreat to their rural homes where their families were confined. The Native Passes Act of 1937 forced Africans to possess passes bearing their names and those of their employers to be allowed to stay in urban areas. Even when hostels and townships were constructed for them, the idea was only to perpetuate colonial capital. Urban regulations were skewed in favour of whites.

Without voting rights, Africans had no voice over the way councils were run. Traditional leaders were also imposed on them depending on how they toed the colonial line.

Mapura (2011) cited in Jonga (2014:76), sums it up when he affirms: Ordinarily, the existence of Africans in urban areas was prohibited under colonial legislation unless they were providing cheap labour in mines and factories.

Building the nation brick by brickThe Government of Zimbabwes immediate task at Independence in 1980 with regards to colonial injustices that created two nations in one country since 1890 the European nation and the African nation (Chigwedere, 2001) was to enact people-oriented legislation.

In 1980, the Urban Councils Act of 1973 was repealed and replaced by the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 214). The Act was repealed in 1995 and 1996, and the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) was enacted, which provides for the determination and establishment of councils, qualification for election into council and its management committees. The Act also provides for the appointment of officials, duties, functions, rights and obligations of local authorities as well as financial matters.

As Aristotle affirms even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered. Therefore, alive to the philosophy that for the good of justice, laws should be constantly visited to determine if they remain in tandem with the dictates of the communities they are meant for, the Government of Zimbabwe amended the Urban Councils Act in 1997, which was substituted by the Local Government Laws of 2008.

By constantly keeping an eye on prevailing trends and effectively responding through requisite policy frameworks, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works was able to provide housing, schools and health facilities to citizens of Zimbabwe for four decades now.

Across the countrys 10 provinces the landscape has been adorned by projects meant to enhance economic and human development. In Harare the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is behind construction projects at NatPharm where a warehouse was built, Sally Mugabe Central Hospital (formerly Harare Central Hospital); Kuwadzana 7 High School; Tomlison Flats; David Livingstone Primary School (classroom block); Chikurubi (ECD block); and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (EPI dry store). One of the major projects that the ministry is involved in, is the construction of the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden.

In Masvingo the ministry constructed Gutu Rural Hospital and Gutu Magistrates Court.

Through its disaster response initiatives, the ministry came up with the Cyclone Idai Housing Project to provide accommodation to victims of the March 2019 catastrophe in Manicaland Province. Another project in the province under the aegis of the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is the Manicaland State University. Other projects undertaken are Victoria Falls District Office (Matabeleland North); Kanyemba Matiga Pre-School, Chinhoyi District Office, Chinhoyi Magistrates Court and Chinhoyi University (Mashonaland West); rehabilitation works at Beitbridge Border Post (Matabeleland South); construction works at Mahusekwa Hospital, Kushinga Pikelela Hospital (block), Chivhu District Office and Mount Saint Marys Hospital (Mashonaland East); two developments at Bindura State University (Mashonaland Central); and Gokwe health posts (four), and Gweru Provincial Hospital (Midlands).

Peeping into the New Parliament BuildingIf parliaments are strong they become the bedrock of democracy in global politics. Parliamentarians are the voice of their constituents, whose expectations and aspirations they carry and project in the august House, thus, they represent the people.

Because a nation is as good as its justice system, for bad or hastily effected laws cause acrimony and hatred among citizens, thus, leading to civil strife, there is need to constantly up the bar in parliamentary debates. As one of their oversight roles, parliamentarians pass laws, and such laws are reflective of the cultural, historical, religious and political issues prevailing in any particular country. There is no better way of ascertaining effective representation than providing conducive space for parliamentarians to engage on behalf of their constituents. Hence, the construction of the gargantuan New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden, may be the Holy Grail required for proficient representation, and opening up of economic spaces for citizens.

As President Mnangagwa pointed out at the ground-breaking ceremony in November 2018, the current situation where 350 legislators (including the Senate and National Assembly), and 248 secretariat staff are crammed in a space meant for 100 representatives, does not augur well with principles of parliamentarism.

The idea born in 1983 with the Kopje as the proposed site, has now become a reality with the imposing building sitting on a 70-metre platform above the surrounding area, symbolically projecting legislative supremacy.

About 18 863 hectares have been set aside for the envisioned new city, three-tier site adjoining Mazowe and Zvimba Rural District councils and the City of Harare. The envisaged highway that will lead to the New Parliament Building already has a name. It is called Chairman Mao Boulevard, in honour of a great friend of Zimbabwe.

The future is brighter indeed, as new transport links will include high performance trains and an upgrade of the nearby Charles Prince Airport. The construction of the New Parliament Building was made possible through an RMB676,43 million grant from the Peoples Republic of China. Feasibility studies were carried out by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Company Limited in 2015.

The Government of Zimbabwe also expended US$2,4 million towards enabling works to kick-start the construction of the project.

The designs for the New Parliament Building which embody Zimbabwean culture and heritage were completed and approved in October 2017. The building comprises common areas, offices, special services, general public and Press areas, parking space and associated services.

Onsite workforce constitutes 135 Chinese experts and 350 Zimbabwean citizens. Other ministries that have come on board in support of the project are the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development who have worked on access roads and storm water drainage facilities, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement.

The New Parliament Building is expected to be complete by the beginning of 2021.

Looking into the futureAs a way of easing the burden on commuters across the country, the Government, through the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO), which is under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, launched the Mass Transport System in January 2019. In October 2019, Government opened the ZUPCO franchise to commuter omnibus operators in a move intended to increase convenience for urban commuters.

As of November 2019, ZUPCO fleet stood at 500 conventional buses, both its own and those using its franchise, and 383 kombis. In March 2020, the parastatal took delivery of 65 more buses from China to bolster its fleet which will go a long way in the provision of an affordable, safe and reliable transport system to the people of Zimbabwe.

Devolution is another milestone achieved in the past three years as Zimbabwe looks into the future. The Second Republic has committed to the implementation of the programme through Treasurys disbursement of $703 million allocated to 92 local authorities in the 2019 National Budget under intergovernmental transfers. Government has committed $2,9 billion to accelerate programmes implementation in 2020.

The funds were earmarked for capital projects that benefit citizens in the following service areas: schools and clinics, roads, plant and equipment, water, sewer and solid waste management, electricity and any other capital activities that may be deemed necessary for service provision.

The philosophy behind devolution is to eliminate marginalisation by decentralising power to provincial and metropolitan councils. In many areas countrywide water and sanitation issues are being addressed, schools and medical facilities are being constructed, road rehabilitation programmes are also ongoing to complement existing Government programmes.

Local authorities are utilising the funds to implement their projects.

Urban renewal is another aspect high on the agenda of the ministrys priorities.

The Sakubva Urban Renewal programme, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe where Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are effectively used for economic growth in line with national Vision 2030, is on course. The venture which has been accorded National Project status is undertaken by the City of Mutare in collaboration with Plan Infrastructure Development and BancABC. Materials that will be used in the construction process will be allowed into the country duty-free. The project is aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents of Mutares oldest suburb through phased destruction and eventual regeneration of residential flats, market stalls, public and social amenities.

The development will focus on the following areas: about 264 hectares of Sakubva will be redeveloped; Sakubva Stadium/sports complex; Sakubva Beit Hall; Sakubva Musika long distance bus terminus; Sakubva Vegetable Market; Sakubva Flea Market; and high rise flats.

Objectives of the urban renewal project are to provide employment to over 10 000 citizens, enhanced land utilisation, improved service delivery, improvement in local economy, provision of a crime free environment and integration of residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and home industry uses

New City ProjectThe construction of the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden, about 20km from the City of Harare along Old Mazowe Road, has created an opportunity for a new city project. The area around Mount Hampden is poised for development to complement activities at the New Parliament.

The areas proximity to Harare as well as its geographical environs offer opportunities for growth, and presents Zimbabwe with a chance to define herself as a nation through a home-grown plan pregnant with vast prospects for all citizens cutting across the entire gamut of human endeavour.

The new citys design is projected to make use of the mixed-use development approach, which is a type of urban development that blends residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial uses, where those functions are physically and functionally integrated. It involves the development of structures and communities that have a mixture of all or any of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, cultural and retail uses. Additionally, retailers benefit from the traffic flow of customers who reside closer to their businesses while residents enjoy the ease of proximity to numerous options.

In todays global village these initiatives are becoming the norm for progressive advancement as they offer ways to efficiently utilise the land, while providing high quality lifestyles for those closer to developments.

Some of the key structures to be incorporated into the design of the new city are office parks, commercial entities, a hi-tech park, information communication technology centre park, institutional facilities, agro-processing structures, hotels, conference centre, golf course, apartments, cluster houses and garden flats, low density residential houses, civic centre game sanctuary, botanical garden, waste to energy management centre, roads and green buffers.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is seized with engaging stakeholders to ensure that an informed decision is taken as the master plan is developed.

Indeed, there is so much to celebrate as Zimbabwes 40th anniversary draws close.

See the original post here:
Local Govt: Building nation brick by brick - The Herald

News Release, National Endowment for the Arts

Washington, DCAccording to the latest data issued today by theBureau of Economic Analysisand the National Endowment for the Arts, the arts remain a vital component of the U.S. economy. As the United States navigates a time of economic uncertainty due to the spread of COVID-19, it is important to recognize and champion the economic contributions of the arts to all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and the nation as a whole.

The sixth edition of the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA) finds that arts and culture contributed $877.8 billion, or 4.5 percent, to the nations gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017. That same year, there were over 5 million wage and salary workers employed in the arts and cultural sector, earning a total of $405 billion.Complete national findingsare available including interactive infographic anddata tables.

The ACPSA tracks the annual economic impact of arts and cultural production from 35 industries, both commercial and nonprofit. The 35 industries that are tracked range from architectural services to sound recording and are considered a distinct sector of the nations economy. With the outbreak of COVID-19, many arts organizations and venuestheaters, concert halls, museums, studios, festivals, and gallerieshave shut their doors until further notice from public health officials.

Earned income accounts for a substantial share of the bottom line of most nonprofit arts organizations, Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research & Analysis at the Arts Endowment, said. During economic downturns, the sector is acutely vulnerablein terms of earned income, but also in fundraising. Given the lean operating budgets of such organizations, these losses can have an outsized impact, leading to fewer jobs in arts industries, and in the businesses that supply them.

Key National Findings

As arts venues close, it will be important to monitor the impact on ticket sales.

Arts industries that contribute the most value to the nations GDP are also highly reactive to swings in business cycles including:

Even as the sector continues to respond to market forces, it is worth noting that arts and culture contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

The arts and cultural sector add more to the economy than do construction and transportation/warehousingcombined.

Arts and culture generate a widening trade surplus. From 2006 to 2017, this surplus grew 9?fold, to more than $25 billion.

The sector has shown a capacity for rapid growth.

Key State Findings

On a state level, the arts and cultural sector added $72.8 billion to the economies of rural statesi.e., states in which 30 percent or more of the population live in rural areas, equaling 18 states.

Six states significantly surpassed the average national growth rate of 5.6 percent for the period 2015-2017: Washington, California, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, and Massachusetts.

Arts and cultural value-added for Average annual growth rate of 2017 (in millions) value-added: 2015-2017

Complete state findingsare available also.In addition, through an award from the Arts Endowment, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) has producedan interactive dashboardthat allows users to explore key information for individual states.

The Southern Maryland Chronicle is a local, small business entrusted to provide factual, unbiased reporting to the Southern Maryland Community.While we look to local businesses for advertising, we hope to keep that cost as low as possible in order to attract even the smallest of local businesses and help them get out to the public. We must also be able to pay employees(part-time and full-time), along with equipment, and website related things. We never want to make the Chronicle a pay-wall style news site.

To that end, we are looking to the community to offer donations. Whether its a one-time donation or you set up a reoccurring monthly donation. It is all appreciated. All donations at this time will be going to furthering the Chronicle through hiring individuals that have the same goals of providing fair, and unbiased news to the community. For now, donations will be going to a business PayPal account I have set-up for the Southern Maryland Chronicle, KDC Designs. All business transactions currently occur within this PayPal account. If you have any questions regarding this you can email me at [emailprotected]

Thank you for all of your support and I hope to continue bringing Southern Maryland the best news possible for a very long time. David M. Higgins II

Read the original post:
During Economic Highs and Lows, the Arts Are Key Segment of US Economy - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

The City of Boca Raton is closing all non-essential retail and commercial establishments, effective 12:01am Wednesday, March 25, 2020, until further notice.

View the full Emergency Order (PDF).

All nonessential retail and commercial business locations (meaning all that are not expressly deemed essential as stated in 2 below) are ordered closed except to the extent necessary to perform Minimum Basic Operations.

Minimum Basic Operations means the minimum activities necessary to maintain the value of inventory, preserve plant and equipment condition, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and facilitate employees working remotely, provided such businesses shall practice, and ensure persons interacting with and within such businesses practice, social distancing and all other measures as advised by the CDC.

The following retail and commercial businesses are deemed essential and existing retail and commercial business locations of these businesses may remain open, but shall practice, and ensure persons interacting with and within such businesses practice, social distancing and all other measures as advised by the CDC:

Essential Businesses That May Remain Open

Original post:
City of Boca Raton Issues Updated Emergency Order Effective Wednesday, Until Further Notice - The Boca Raton Tribune

Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered all non-essential businesses in the state to close. That includes bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and other places where crowds could gather that are not critical to infrastructure of day-to-day life.

Hogan emphasized that this is not a shelter-in-place order, as has been issued in other states. He said he believes closing down businesses is a more effective way to keep people from venturing out.

"Marylanders are urged to remain home, and employers are urged to promote work-from-home arrangements to the greatest extent possible," according to the Office of Legal Counsel of Maryland.

In Monday's press conference, Hogan thanked the Marylanders who have been social distancing and staying at home, but cautioned those who have not complied.

Unfortunately, many people are still not taking it seriously," Hogan said. "There were crowds of people visiting the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., and large gatherings on the beach in Ocean City and on the boardwalk. If you are engaged in this kind of activity, you are breaking the law, and you are literally endangering the lives of your family, your friends, and fellow citizens."

The cloture of all non-essential businesses began at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23.

Hogan said it's a difficult decision having to close businesses, but his administration is trying to be aggressive to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"It's the twin battles, so we don't take any of these steps, and hundreds of thousands or millions of people are going to die in America," Hogan said. "We do take these steps and hundreds of thousands are going to be hurt economically, so its a terrible choice, and so the solution is we try to do both. We try to save lives, and then we try to help save the economy."

He said they have set up multiple funds to help small businesses weather the storm.

At least one of the funds provides up to $10,000 in the form of a direct, immediate grant to help businesses with fewer than 50 employees. His administration said they are also offering up to $50,000 in low-interest loans, with a 0 percent interest rate in the first 12 months.

To help families as they try to stock up on supplies, the Governor also signed an executive order Monday to ban price gauging.

Retailers who attempt to exploit this crisis for profit and gain will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," the Governor said.

Below is a list of businesses that are considered essential and will remain open, according to a release from the Office of Legal Counsel of Maryland.

The Chemical Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Pharmaceutical manufacturers.

ii. Chemical manufacturers.

iii. Distributors of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The Commercial Facilities Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Lodging.

ii. Building and property maintenance companies, including without limitation plumbers, electricians, HVAC service companies, roofers, environmental services companies, exterminators, arborists, and landscapers.

iii. Janitorial firms.

iv. Companies that sell supplies and materials for maintenance of commercial and residential buildings, including big box home improvement supply stores, plumbing distributors, electrical distributors, and HVAC distributors.

v. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry services.

vi. Commercial and residential construction companies.

vii. Self-storage facilities.

RELATED: Gov. Hogan issues order to close all nonessential businesses in Maryland

The Communications Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Broadcasting companies and stations.

ii. Cable TV companies.

iii. Telephone (cellular and landline) companies.

iv. Internet service providers.

The Critical Manufacturing Sector includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing of:

i. Steel, iron, and aluminum products.

ii. Engines, motors, turbines, generators, and power transmission equipment.

iii. Earth-moving, mining, agricultural, and construction equipment.

iv. Parts for water, electric, and telecommunications utility infrastructure.

v. Land, air, and water vehicles, and related parts.

vi. Medical equipment.

vii. Personal protective equipment.

viii. Cleaning and sanitation equipment and supplies.

The Defense Industrial Base Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that research, develop, manufacture, or integrate weapons, defense, or intelligence systems or assets.

ii. Private contractors that support defense and intelligence agencies.

The Emergency Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Law enforcement.

ii. Emergency medical services.

iii. Emergency management.

iv. Fire and rescue services.

v. Private ambulance companies.

The Energy Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies engaged in electricity production (excluding hydroelectric and nuclear, which are included in other sectors).

ii. Companies engaged in the production, refining, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of oil, gas, and propane products, including gas stations and truck stops.

iii. Companies that provide utility maintenance services.

The Financial Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Banks and credit unions.

ii. Non-bank lenders.

iii. Payroll processing companies.

iv. Payment processing companies.

v. Armored car companies.

vi. Insurance companies.

vii. Securities and investment companies.

viii. Accounting and bookkeeping firms.

The Food and Agriculture Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Grocery stores.

ii. Farmers markets.

iii. Convenience stores.

iv. Alcoholic beverage stores and distributors, distilleries, and wineries.

v. Institutional food service and supply companies.

vi. Farms.

vii. Food manufacturing and processing.

viii. Pet supply stores.

ix. Veterinary hospitals, clinics, and kennels.

x. Companies that manufacture, maintain, and sell agricultural equipment.

xi. Companies that manufacture, or support the manufacturing of paper products.

Please note: Restaurants and bars are required to close except for carryout, delivery, and drive-through sales.

RELATED: 'Now is not the time' | Ocean City beach, boardwalk closes amid coronavirus concerns

The Government Facilities Sector also encompasses private persons and entities that support the judicial system including, but not limited to:

i. Lawyers and law firms.

ii. Court reporters.

iii. Bail bondsmen.

The Healthcare and Public Health Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Hospitals.

ii. Healthcare systems and clinics.

iii. Offices of health care providers, including physicians, dentists, and pharmacists.

iv. Physical, occupation, and speech therapists.

v. Behavioral health facilities and professionals, including psychologists, mental health counselors, and substance abuse counselors

vi. Rehabilitation facilities.

vii. Diagnostic facilities, including radiology, imaging, and laboratory facilities.

viii. Health plans, payers, and billing companies.

ix. Funeral homes and crematoriums.

x. Senior living facilities, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing.

xi. Manufacturers and distributors of medical equipment and supplies.

xii. Medical cannabis growers, processors, and dispensaries.

xiii. Home health care companies.

xiv. Pharmacies.

The Information Technology Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that design, develop, distribute, host, sell, and support information technology software and hardware.

ii. Companies that provide network routing, access, and configuration services.

The Transportation Systems Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Airlines and operators of commercial aircraft (manned and unmanned).

Follow this link:
LIST: These are the only businesses to remain open in Maryland - WUSA9.com

On March 17 and 20, 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Orders 20-68 and 20-71, announcing unprecedented state-wide closures of bars and nightclubs, restaurants for on-site dining, and stand-alone gyms. Since then, additional counties and municipalities in Florida have enacted more stringent measures attempting to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The virus has continued to spread rapidly in South Florida, including the Tampa Bay area. As of March 26, 2020, the Florida Department of Health reported 2,359 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Florida residents and 29 deaths. The counties with the highest reported cases were Dade (654), Broward (505), Palm Beach (174), and Hillsborough (151). Pinellas County reported 65 cases.

Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners issued the first safer-at-home order impacting Tampa Bay, Resolution No. 20-20. The order is effective March 26, 2020 through the expiration of the countys declared State of Local Emergency or until the Board of County Commissioners determines that a policy change is in the publics best interest. Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group passed a similar safer-at-home order effective 10:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020, until it is rescinded by the countys Emergency Policy Group.

Both counties orders require businesses to close if they do not provide Essential Services or cannot maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) social distancing and group gathering guidelines to keep at least six feet between persons.

Pinellas County

In Pinellas County, non-essential businesses must post a notice that is clearly visible at all times to those present on the premises including patrons and employees, in a form to be established by the County Administrator. A list of frequently-asked questions can be accessed on the countys website. Businesses that do not comply with the order may be subject to enforcement action up to and including orders to close and criminal charges.

The Pinellas County order also broadly defines Essential Services, to include the following:

Hillsborough County

The Hillsborough County safer-at-home order emphasizes that all residents are directed to stay at home as much as possible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, except in limited circumstances. In addition to social distancing, businesses are required to follow Florida Department of Health guidance and to use best practices, as set forth by the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, to reduce the risk of worker exposure to COVID-19 in workplaces. A violation of the order may be prosecuted as a second degree misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 775.082 or 775.083, Florida Statutes.

The order exempts the following essential individuals, businesses, and services:

Similar measures involving closure of certain businesses are currently effective in other counties and municipalities across Florida, including:

Employers may want to review these orders to ensure they are in compliance in all areas of Florida where they conduct business.

Read the rest here:
COVID-19 Safer-at-Home Orders Now Effective in Tampa Bay and Other Florida Counties and Municipalities - Lexology

As more and more states and localities shut down entire industries and order workers and citizens to stay home and shelter in place, many companies are asking How does this affect my operations? In this post, we focus on the Construction Industry and how it fits into the Federal, state and municipal mosaic of what is being defined as essential.

In many of the states and localities that have ordered nonessential industries to cease physical location, in-office or in-facility work, the orders or guidance categorize construction as essential infrastructure. Some of this is on their own volition, other States have relied or been guided by Federal Guidance that has been published by Homeland Security Cyber and Infrastructure (CISA) Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Division. This publication is commonly referred to as CISA. https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/03/19/cisa-releases-guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workers-during-covid-19.

Under CISA many construction activities have been deemed to be essential This means that, for that States that are following CISA, in general, construction and construction supply companies may continue operations.

However, not all Executive Orders are created equal. Governors and mayors have created a patchwork of mandates to attempt to flatten the corona virus curve, and not all sectors of the construction industry have a green light to stay open and running. It is vital to carefully review Orders and associated guidance to determine how it applies to the construction industry as a whole, and specific subsections of the construction industry. Moreover, these Orders are subject to change as we saw this morning in New York state. As such, please make sure you are looking at the latest guidance that has been issued or feel free to give us a call or email to discuss your questions.

Below is a list of how California, Nevada, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey are treating construction in the context of non-essential business physical closure Orders and how some specific jurisdictions such as Philadelphia, Miami, Las Vegas, Atlanta San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego have responded all of which directly affects construction industry operations.

*This List has been updated as of March 27, 2020, (3:15 pm EST)

Jurisdictions Direct Impact on Construction Companies and Projects

California: California ordered that all workers must stay home, except workers deemed Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.

Generally, construction workers are essential to critical infrastructure. See Guidance. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate and construction workers may go to work.

Specifically designated as essential are:

Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, construction material suppliers, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues;

Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables;

Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction);

Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, construction material sources, and essential operation of construction sites and construction projects (including those that support such projects to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications; and support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste).

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego:

These cities in California have each taken separate positions some view construction as essential (e.g., San Francisco) and as such permit construction to remain operational which is at odds with the State position on construction (other than as noted above) being deemed to be NON-essential. Care should be taken in these cities to evaluate the State Executive Order in the context of City Orders, noting that in most cases the more restrictive interpretation is likely to rule the day.

Delaware: Delaware ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses.

Construction, however has been deemed to be an essential category. See List. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate and construction workers may go to work.

Specifically designated in the Order as essential are:

Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues;

Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables.

Workers who are engaged in the construction of residential, nonresidential structures, or infrastructure, and any workers who provide critical maintenance to residential or non-residential structures;

Businesses that supply materials and hardware to those engaged in the construction of residential or non-residential structures; Workers involved in activities related to the design and apportionment of residential and non-residential structures.

Washington DC: Washington D.C. ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses except for Minimum Basic Operations.

Construction and Building Trades are, however, classified as Essential Businesses per the Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

The Order specifically includes the following as essential under that category: plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, electricians, boilermakers, exterminators, roofers, carpenters, bricklayers, welders, elevator mechanics, businesses that sell supplies and materials for maintenance of commercial and residential buildings and homes, including big box supply stores, plumbing distributors, electrical distributors, HVAC distributors, and other businesses that provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and operations of residences and Essential Businesses.

Florida: Florida has closed only bars and nightclubs at the moment (note, however, given the growth of cases in the last 48 hours, this may change). See March 23 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Miami:

Miami has ordered that all nonessential retail and commercial establishments close.

The following, among other industries, have been deemed essential:

Open construction sites, irrespective of the type of building;

Architectural, engineering, or land surveying services;

Contractors and other tradesmen who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other structures.

Generally, construction appears to be an essential business, but not all types of construction. Though open construction sites may remain open, the Order does not specifically include construction that has not yet commenced, except for specific purposes. Therefore, construction businesses should evaluate projects on a case-by-case basis.

Georgia: Georgia has closed only bars and nightclubs. See March 23 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Atlanta:

Atlanta has ordered that all nonessential businesses close and that residents of Atlanta stay at home unless engaging in essential activities.

One exception is for residents to leave to work for essential businesses.

Construction is essential infrastructure per the Order. Specifically, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of Essential Infrastructure, including, but not limited to public works, construction, airport operations, utility, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, railroads, public transportation provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined herein, to the extent possible.

Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate in Atlanta.

Illinois: Illinois ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses. Illinois has also ordered that all residents stay home unless leaving to perform an essential function.

The Order categorizes construction as essential infrastructure. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate and construction workers may go to work.

It specifically includes, but is not limited to: construction required in response to this public health emergency, hospital construction, construction of long-term care facilities, public works construction, and housing construction.

Chicago:

Chicago joined in the announcement of the statewide order, which is more expansive and preempts its local orders.

Maryland: Maryland ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses that are not part of the critical infrastructure sectors identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). See CISA Guidance.

As CISA guidance has been used in other states to justify construction related activities as essential it is likely that construction related activities will be permitted to continue in Maryland.

The Governor has ordered that all nonessential businesses close. The order defines nonessential as anything not part of the critical infrastructure sectors identified in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agencys (CISA) guidance. See attached; https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19 Construction is not a specific category under CISA, but is mentioned in relation to the other categories.

The Maryland Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) published interpretive guidance. The interpretive guidance includes commercial and residential construction companies in the list of businesses that are not required to close under the category of Commercial Facilities.

Note: Maryland has 2x updated its list of businesses that are essential during the week which list now includes title companies, engineers, architects, and nurseries. Please make sure to check these updates for your specific business.

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses.

Generally, construction is essential to critical infrastructure. See Guidance. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Specifically designated as essential are:

Construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction);

Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including roads and bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues;

Workers including contracted vendors involved in the construction of critical or strategic infrastructure including public works construction, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, nuclear, oil refining and other critical energy services, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, and internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services);

Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, inspectors and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, construction sites and projects, and needed facilities;

Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables.

Boston:

Boston suspended all regular activity at construction sites.

Boston provided the following guidance:

Employers should maintain the necessary crews to keep their sites safe and secure, keep any materials from blowing away, and prevent trespassing.

After sites have been secured, skeleton crews will be permitted for the remainder of this suspension to ensure safety.

The only work that will be permitted moving forward will be emergency work, which will need to be approved by the City of Bostons Inspectional Services Department.

That essential work includes:

emergency utility, road or building work, such as gas leaks, water leaks and sinkholes new utility connections to occupied buildings mandated building or utility work work at public health facilities, healthcare facilities, shelters, including temporary shelters and other facilities that support vulnerable populations work which ensures the reliability of the transportation network, and other work necessary to render occupied residential buildings fully habitable.

Boston has a process to review requests for exceptions to the temporary construction moratorium. These may be granted by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services for building-related work or the Commissioner of Public Works for street-related work. These will be granted if they support increased public health and safety. Notwithstanding this helpful process, the Commonwealths Executive Order specifically overrides any municipal order to the contrary, and, as such the Governors Executive Order provides the critical guidance on this issue (see above construction is generally essential).

Nevada: Nevada ordered the closure of nonessential businesses that either promote recreational gatherings or promote extended periods of public interaction where risk of transmission is high.

The Order specifically permits the construction labor force to continue operating, though it must adopt social distancing measures. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Las Vegas:

Las Vegas listed construction as an essential business, per the Governors Order.

New Jersey: New Jersey ordered the closure of all brick-and-mortar premises of non-essential retail businesses, as well as recreational and entertainment businesses and restaurants and bars.

New Jerseys order does not apply to the construction industry. The state further clarified that heavy construction and other commercial operations may continue to operate, but should limit onsite staff to essential operations. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

New York : New York ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses.

In general, construction is an essential industry. See Guidance. The guidance INITIALLY and specifically includes:

Skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers; Other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes.

That initial guidance was modified today, March 27th : https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026. Under the revised guidance:

9. Construction

All non-essential construction must shut down except emergency construction, (e.g. a project necessary to protect health and safety of the occupants, or to continue a project if it would be unsafe to allow to remain undone until it is safe to shut the site).

Essential construction may continue and includes roads, bridges, transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or health care facilities, affordable housing, and homeless shelters. At every site, if essential or emergency non-essential construction, this includes maintaining social distance, including for purposes of elevators/meals/entry and exit. 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.

For purposes of this section construction work does not include a single worker, who is the sole employee/worker on a job site.

Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate but only if they fall into the above specific exempt categories.

New York City:

The city has adopted the Governors Order.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania has ordered the closure of all non-life-sustaining businesses.

Construction, as a general category, is not life-sustaining per Pennsylvanias published list of industry types. See Guidance.

The state is permitting construction BUT only for emergency repairs and to construction of health care facilities. Therefore, construction companies may not operate unless they fall under an exception or obtain a waiver from the state.

Philadelphia:

Philadelphia ordered that certain businesses close and initially permitted construction through March 27th. Furthermore, Philadelphia is currently under a state-ordered stay-at-home order, but there is an exception for workers traveling to and working for life-sustaining businesses.

Texas: Texas has closed only bars, dining, and gyms. See March 19 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Various localities in Texas have enacted expansive business restrictions. As with all states, it is important to analyze local law to determine if there are restrictions for business operations.

Virginia: Virginia has only ordered the closure of specific types of recreational and entertainment businesses. See March 23 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

See the article here:
Construction Activity in the Covid-19 Era: Essential Activity or Non-Essential Activity? - Lexology

Special Report

Grant Suneson, John Harrington

As of 2009, more than half of the worlds population lived in urban areas. By 2050, the U.N. projects that two out of every three people live in an urban area. This ongoing shift to big cities could fundamentally change the way we think about many critical issues, like disease control. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted one of the potential drawbacks of living in a highly dense megacity, defined as having populations greater than 10 million.

People in close proximity are more likely to catch and spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Health experts believe New York City has been especially hard-hit by the virus because of its U.S.-leading population density of 28,000 residents per square mile, in addition to the high number of international tourists and its reliance on public transportation. The tourism industry like others has grinded to a halt as a result, however. These are the US industries being devastated by the coronavirus.

The susceptibility of these cities to this and other viruses also depends in large part on the response by national and local governments. In early February, China restricted entry to megacities Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. India, home to a number of megacities on this list, instituted a nationwide lockdown in late march. The response to the coronavirus in America has been more fragmented, directed by state and local leaders. Many have shut down non-essential businesses like bars and restaurants. These are the places that have mandated bar and restaurant closings.

To identify the worlds 33 megacities, 24/7 Wall St. used The Worlds Cities in 2018, the latest edition of the U.N.s biennial population data booklet. All data on population, population projections, and the percentage of a nations population residing in urban areas are from this source.

It is important to note that there are no standard global criteria for determining the boundaries of a city for the purpose of population studies. Some estimates look only at the population inside a citys administrative boundaries, known as the city proper population. Other population measures include surrounding suburban communities that have economic ties to a nearby urban core but can stretch for hundreds of square miles through small farming communities and national parks.

Click here to see the worlds 33 mega citiesClick here to see our detailed findings and methodology

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The Worlds 33 Megacities - 24/7 Wall St.