On 3/28, President Trump stated that he may order an “enforceable” quarantine in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey to prevent the spread of the virus.
While no federal order has been issued as of 8:00pm this evening, CEMA would like to update you on some important issues that will help our members in the event that one is implemented.
CEMA has received reports over the last couple of days from members that their employees have been pulled over in West Haven, Fairfield, Mystic, and crossing into Rhode Island to ask where they “were going”. No citations were issued, but it emphasizes that law enforcement officials are more aware of non-essential travel.
Travel Credentials for Essential Employees
Last week, CEMA responded to several members who asked what happens if an employee is pulled over by law enforcement during the shutdown of non-essential businesses.
In an e-mail that we sent to you last week, CEMA provided you with a template letter for you to print off along with the DECD list of essential businesses and the Governor Executive Order to demonstrate that employees working for oil, propane, gas station/c-store and HVAC companies are deemed essential.
This should be distributed to employees so that they can provide them to law endorsement i the event that they get pulled over.
PMAA Helping CT and the Region on Travel Restrictions
After contacting PMAA about our concerns of a federal restriction on travel. Here is their response to our request –
Chris,
The “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response Version 2.0” was updated today. Notable additions highlighted below that PMAA provided to CISA. We were already covered in the previous document and asked them to specifically list gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and heating fuels as well as add HVAC technicians to be crystal clear.
Page 8: Petroleum industry: “Workers for crude oil, petroleum and petroleum product storage and transportation, including pipeline, marine transport, terminals, rail transport, storage facilities and racks and road transport for use as end use fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and heating fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing.”
Page 10: Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services: “Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC Technicians, landscapers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings such as hospitals, senior living facilities, any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response.
Thanks,
Rob Underwood
President
Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA)
1901 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 500
Arlington, Virginia 22209