​It's the responsibility of governors to protect all the people in their states including rural regions.

The Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline construction projects require pipeline workers and contractors from across the country who specialize in high capacity pipelines. They travel with RVs or rent trailers and homes in rural areas. They frequent small local grocery stores and essential businesses. During this healthcare crisis, pipeline workers and contractors have been observed not practicing social distancing or covering their faces.

Rural regions have limited access to health care facilities. At least one doctor, from a rural county that hosted many MVP workers last year, has been deployed to a COVID-19 hot zone.

It would be irresponsible to allow pipeline workers and contractors who might be carrying the COVID-19 virus to work on non-essential projects during this health care crisis. Governors must add pipeline construction workers and contractors to the non-essential stay-at-home list, until after the COVID-19 crisis has passed.