On March 23, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee ordered a “Stay At Home” Order for all Washington residents through midnight on April 6, 2020. In doing so, Governor Inslee joined many other state and local jurisdictions in ordering residents to stay at home, with limited exceptions, to help slow the spread of the COVID-19.

As of today, 16 states have issued “Stay At Home” orders, requiring that approximately 40 percent of U.S. citizens remain at home.

When Does the "Stay At Home" Order Go Into Effect?

Effective immediately, all gatherings of people for social, spiritual, and recreational purposes, including weddings and funerals, are prohibited. By the end of day on March 25, 2020, all businesses, except for “essential” businesses, must cease operations.

Businesses that can operate using telecommuting should continue to do so. Below is additional information on which businesses are deemed “essential” under the Order. Additionally, restaurants may continue to remain open providing to-go orders and delivery options.

If My Business Can Operate Remotely, Can I Keep My Business Open?

Yes. Businesses that can operate using telecommuting can continue with their operations, regardless of whether they are deemed “essential” businesses.

What Are the "Essential" Businesses Under Governor Inslee's "Stay At Home" Order?

For many employers, it is a highly factual inquiry to determine whether their business is considered “essential to the healthy functioning of our community.” Governor Inslee’s office detailed list of “essential” employers can be found here.

After reviewing this list, if an employer’s business is not listed or it is unclear whether the business is considered “essential,” you may email the state at business@mil.wa.gov for clarification. If an employer wishes to petition to be added to the list, employers can visit the Washington State Business Re-Entry Registration website.

List of Essential Businesses in Washington State

As a high-level overview, workers in the following industries may be declared “essential” workers and/or businesses. This is not an exhaustive list.

• Healthcare and Public Health – This is expansive and includes dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, midwives and doulas, social workers, speech pathologists, laboratory personnel, distributors of medical equipment, behavioral health workers, workers who manage health plans, veterinarians, etc.
• Emergency Services – Law enforcement, first responders, and workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, such as dams, bridges, and sewer mains.
• Food and Agriculture – Includes groceries, pharmacies, and retailers of food and beverages, restaurant (carry-out and delivery operations only); food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees.
• Energy – Workers in the electricity industry; petroleum workers; and natural and propane gas workers.
• Water and Wastewater – Workers needed to operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Transportation and Logistics – Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, mass transit workers, ferry workers; transportation services (taxis), certain truck drivers, postal and shipping workers, air transportation employees.
• Communications and Information Technology – Workers who support radio, television, newspapers and media services; maintenance of communication infrastructure; installation, maintenance and repair technicians or engineers; certain IT workers.
• Other Community-Based Government Operations and Essential Functions – Critical government workers; elections personnel; weather forecasters; workers supporting public and private childcare establishments and schools with distance learning; hotel workers; plumbers, electricians, exterminators and others servicers; certain commercial retail stores; workers in certain government agencies; laundromats.
• Critical Manufacturing – Workers manufacturing items for certain industries, such as for medical supply chains, food and agriculture, energy, transportation, etc.
• Hazardous Materials – Workers at nuclear facilities, medical waste, supporting hazardous cleanup and operations.
• Financial Services – Workers needed to process and maintain financial transactions; provide consumer banking and lending.
• Chemical - Workers supporting the chemical and industrial gas supply chains; safe transportation of chemicals; operation and maintenance of facilities.
• Defense Industrial Base – Workers who support the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military.

Are There Consequences for Not Following the Order?

Yes. Failure to adhere to the Order may result in a gross misdemeanor. Those violations can be reported, investigated, and referred to the prosecutor’s office and can then be punishable by a fine and/or jail time.

Conclusion

Governor Inslee encourages Washington residents to still get outside and exercise appropriate social distancing. By implementing the Order, he hopes to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Washington State.

He also reminds all Washingtonians: "We are in this together, Washington."

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