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1 1 (March 23, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/goveavo0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional SResearch Service informing the IegisI tive debate since 1914___________________ COVID-19: State and Local Shut-Down Orders and Exemptions for Critical Infrastructure March 23, 2020 Since the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States, public officials have issued numerous emergency directives closing non-essential businesses and facilities and instructing non-essential workers to stay home. However, these directives have generally included exemptions for essential businesses and other facilities if they are part of a critical infrastructure sector or provide essential services. Some business leaders have invoked federal authorities and guidelines when contesting state or local orders that would affect their operations. Uncertainty about what systems, assets, and facilities are part of a federally recognized critical infrastructure sector, and what (if any) official status is conferred to a company that is a participant in such a sector, may complicate both administration of emergency directives and impact private-sector management of critical infrastructures and workforces. This Insight provides an overview of the federal critical infrastructure protection and resilience policy framework and discusses its relevance and potential application to the management of essential systems, assets, facilities, and workforces subject to state and local emergency orders. Critical Infrastructure Designations and Workforce Management Decisions The White House Coronavirus Guidelines for America, released on March 16, stated that those working in a critical infrastructure industry as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had a special responsibility to maintain their normal work schedules. DHS currently recognizes 16 critical infrastructure sectors in manufacturing, emergency services, government, basic utilities, and other areas. On March 19, DHS, through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), issued additional guidelines and a list of critical infrastructure occupations to assist state and local authorities in identifying critical infrastructure assets, facilities, and workforces during the COVID-19 crisis. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11284 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress