According to state senator Joseph Vitali, who checked with the governor’s office, Pest Control is considered an essential business.
In these challenging times with the COVID-19 crisis continually evolving worldwide and now statewide, it is affecting all areas of our personal lives and businesses. Understandably, the NJPMA has been working diligently in an effort to provide clarity to our members. As of 9:00 pm tonight, Governor Murphy has closed all non-essential businesses, but included the below in his executive order.
- All businesses or non-profits in the State, whether closed or open to the public, must accommodate their workforce, wherever practicable, for telework or work-from-home arrangements. For purposes of this order, “telework” means the practice of working from home or alternative locations closer to home through the use of technology that equips the individual to access necessary materials.
- To the extent a business or non-profit has employees that cannot perform their functions via telework or work-from-home arrangements, the business or non-profit should make best efforts to reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure that essential operations can continue. Examples of employees who need to be physically present at their work site in order to perform their duties include, but are not limited to, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and other first responders, cashiers or store clerks, construction workers, utility workers, repair workers, warehouse workers, lab researchers, information technology maintenance workers, janitorial and custodial staff, and certain administrative staff.
NJPMA is providing clarification on the Governor's Executive Order and any decision to continue operating is at the discretion of the business owner. Please make your business decision based on what is best for your employees, customers and supplier’s health.
As of this afternoon, we have received word from state senator Joseph Vitali, who checked with the governor’s office, Pest Control is considered an essential business, and can continue, but must practice social distancing.
Please understand that this is not by any means a permission slip from the NJPMA to continue work, however we will continually monitor the situation and notify you when we receive additional official information. In the meantime, we ask that you remain safe.
If you plan to continue operations, you must practice social distancing (i.e. one person per truck and have others meet at the site, keep a 6’ minimum distance between employees at all times, do not lunch together, wash hands well and often. See this one sheet guide to help you.
We at the NJPMA want to see everyone safe and well when this is over. We're right there with you, facing new challenges and persevering to overcome obstacles, one day at a time. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to give us a call or an email. But we will get through this together. Be safe, friends. Thank you for your support and trust in us, as we trust and support you!
Len Douglen
Executive Director
NJPMA
