Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health issued a new order for building safety measures to prevent and control the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Cleaning, disinfecting, and other maintenance and security services performed by building service employees are critical to protecting the public health by reducing COVID-19 infections in Pennsylvania. What do building owners need to do to comply with this order, to help control this pandemic?Building Safety Measures OrderOn April 6, by order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, new building safety measures were put in place. The order sets forth building cleaning protocols to be implemented by large buildings for businesses that are authorized to maintain in-person operations under the March 19, 2020 Governor and Secretary of Health Orders, as amended, or by exception.What types of buildings are covered by the order?The order applies to buildings of at least 50,000 square feet used for commercial, industrial or other enterprises. This building safety order includes, but is not limited to, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, commercial offices, airports, grocery stores, universities, colleges, government, hotels, and residential buildings with at least 50 units.What cleaning protocols must building owners follow?Owners of buildings subject to the order are to implement the following cleaning protocols under the building safety order:1) Maintain pre-existing cleaning protocols in the facility where operations are conducted and in all other areas of the building.2) Clean and disinfect high-touch areas routinely in accordance with CDC guidelines, and in areas that are accessible to customers, tenants or other individuals.3) Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of employees to perform these protocols.4) Ensure a sufficient number of security employees to control access, maintain order, and enforce social distancing of at least 6 feet.See the Building Safety Measures Order here. Associate Safa Ashrafi practices in Gross McGinley’s Business Services Group. She has significant experience in real estate, representing sellers, buyers, developers, investors, and financial institutions in a broad range of transactional matters.