03/20/2020
PLNA Update on Statewide Shutdown Landscape Services
as of March 20, 2020 12:00 pm
Thank you for your patience. PLNA continues to work with the Executive Offices of the PA Department of Agriculture for clarification. This is the latest update we can provide at this time. An update for Garden Centers will be forthcoming.
First and foremost PLNA wants everyone to remember the goal of the Governor’s directive – to minimize the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in our communities. Please make your business decision based on what is best for your employees, customers and suppliers health.
Based on the Governor’s list which appears to fall in line with NAICS codes, Landscape Services falls into the following category (page 4 of the Governor’s List):
1)Professional and Business Services
a)Admin and Support Services
i)Services to Buildings and Dwellings
This category is deemed essential and here is that definition -
Sector 56 -- Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation ServicesT
5617 Services to Buildings and DwellingsT
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) exterminating and pest control services; (2) janitorial services; (3) landscaping services; (4) carpet and upholstery cleaning services; or (5) other services to buildings and dwellings.
561730 Landscaping Services
This industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in providing landscape care and maintenance services and/or installing trees, shrubs, plants, lawns, or gardens and (2) establishments primarily engaged in providing these services along with the design of landscape plans and/or the construction (i.e., installation) of walkways, retaining walls, decks, fences, ponds, and similar structures.
Source: https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code=5617&search=2017%20NAICS%20Search
If you choose to continue to provide services, please follow these BMP’s along with any other procedures you have put in place:
Contact and get permission from clients to be serviced- preferably in a documented format such as email or other time/date stamped electronic communication
Implement daily all-hands communications within company to inform, educate and reinforce SOPs, BMPs and possible next steps
Relax attendance policies to allow any employee who is uncomfortable working to stay home and use PTO or apply for UC
Train crew personnel to be able to respond to questions from the public in a professional manner
Enforce cleaning and sanitation protocols for all common spaces including trucks and equipment
Stagger crew start times to minimize congregation at office/shop locations
Limit crews to 1 person per truck and have all other crew personnel drive directly to jobsite
Assign one truck to one crew and do not rotate
Minimize use of shared equipment and tools
Wear gloves as much as possible removing only to eat, drink, or touch your face
If you must work in close proximity to another for a short period of time (i.e. lifting a tree ball into a hole) wear a face mask
Be prepared to shutdown at any moment
Any additional clarification will be updated and communicated as soon as possible. Keep checking PLNA.com for additional updates.
An update for Retail Garden Centers will be forthcoming.
Stay safe and stay healthy!