Harvest Business Advisors serves businesses in multiple states. Our brokers have been carefully tracking how the state governors have been dealing with the COVID-19 crisis – and watching how they are approaching “re-opening” their state’s businesses. It’s a delicate balance between public health and the health of the economy, between protecting worker’s safety and providing a safety net for business.
Here is a recap of recent statements by each state in our service area:
Maryland
“Other than keeping Marylanders safe and saving lives by defeating COVID-19, there is absolutely nothing more important to me than getting people back to work and getting businesses reopened. I want to get people back on their feet and get our economy back on track. We will do that as quickly as we possibly can in a safe, gradual and effective way.” Said Governor Larry Hogan as he unveiled the state’s Maryland Strong Road to Recovery plan on April 24, 2020. The Road to Recovery identifies key risk factors milestones which are broad in character and contains components within each stage.
Schools will remain closed for this school year.
Virginia
Gov. Ralph Northam issued a stay-at-home order effective until June 10. A separate executive order that restricted certain businesses and crowds of more than 10 people will expire May 14. Governor Northam recently suggested some restrictions may be lifted, a “soft” re-open but has not yet provided specific details.
On April 24, Governor Northam shared the progress made by Virginia and a blueprint for phases for reopening the state if certain health benchmarks are met and maintained.
Schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year.
Elective surgery and dental procedures in Virginia were allowed to resume on May 1.
Washington D.C.
On April 23, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has created a “ReOpen DC” Advisory Group which will include experts from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
“ReOpen DC is about working together as a community to reopen Washington, DC in a way that is safe and sustainable. Together, we will create a plan that is based in science and tailored to the needs of our community.” said Mayor Bowser.
ReOpen DC has defined on three phases of reopening:
- Emergency Response – Where we are now
- Stabilization – what ReopenDC will focus on, which involves relaxing restrictions but closely monitoring and quickly responding to negative metrics
- Long-term Recovery – How we find a new, more resilient normal. Likely started once a vaccine is widely available
New Jersey
“Extending this declaration ensures that we can continue using every resource at our disposal to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,”said Governor Murphy.“But I want to ensure that this extension is not interpreted to mean that we are reconsidering our path forward or changing course on the principles I laid out last week in the Road Back plan. We will continue to stand by these principles and protect public health as we responsibly take steps to get the economy moving again.”
Schools will remain closed through this school year.
Governor Murphy introduced New Jersey’s “Road Back Plan” that covered economic recovery and public health needs.
Pennsylvania
The commonwealth of Pennsylvania released their Return to Work Plan, determined by county statistics and milestones and specifies Work and Congregate Setting Restrictions and Social Restrictions in phases.
“We are planning for the days and weeks ahead when we will not only safely return Pennsylvanians to work but return to a different and more resilient Pennsylvania. While we cannot be certain of the future path of this disease, our decisions will be driven first by prioritizing the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians.
To that end, the Commonwealth is partnering with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to create a data-driven decision support tool that will enable a balance between maximizing the results of our economy while minimizing public health risks”. said Governor Wolf.
Note: Pennsylvania and New Jersey are part of a coalition of northeastern states coordinating the reopening of the economy safely in that region.
Harvest Business Advisors encourages all our colleagues to continue to protect their health and the health of their employees. We can help you with your business health – and would welcome a conversation about how you can not only survive now, but prepare your business for the eventual rebound. Feel free to connect with us
Clients choose Harvest Business Advisors for our accurate business valuations and our consistent ability to deliver a high price as part of a smooth exit transaction.
Harvest Business Advisors provides business brokerage, business valuation, and business succession planning services. We have extensive experience in the information technology and professional services, manufacturing, distribution, and contracting fields. We maintain offices in Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. Connect with us at info@harvestbusiness.com or 877-838-4966 to discuss selling your business, ordering a business valuation or buying a business.
