Construction crews are pictured late last week on East Second Street in Jamestown. The city Department of Development said Monday that essential construction can continue, though non-essential projects must stop. P-J file photo

The Jamestown Department of Development said Monday that all nonessential construction projects are to “cease immediately.” The decision was made after consultation with state and federal agencies.

Non-essential construction will be required to shut down, except for projects deemed an emergency — a project to protect health and safety of the occupants, or to continue a project if it would be unsafe to allow to remain undone until it is safe to shut the site.

The city said essential construction may continue, and includes roads, bridges, transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or health care facilities, affordable housing and homeless shelters.

“At every site, if essential or emergency non-essential construction, this includes maintaining social distance, including for purposes of elevators/meals/entry and exit,” the city said in a news release. “Sites that cannot maintain distance and safety best practices must close and enforcement will be provided by the state in coordination with the city/local governments. This will include fines of up to $10,000 per violation.”

The mandate does not include a single worker who is the sole employee or workers at a job site.

“This policy does not include private home owner/property owner who is the sole person performing the work to their own private property. However, projects that require a permit to be obtained by the building code enforcement officer will not be permitted unless determined to be a non-essential emergency and necessary to protect health and safety of the occupants or public.

“This policy is supported by the Chautauqua County Executive’s office and will be enforced by city of Jamestown code enforcement officers and/or the Jamestown Police Department officers.”