What is an essential business?

Cities and states across the country are issuing community wide lockdowns and “shelter in place” orders, effectively shutting down the majority of businesses for an undetermined period of time in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Only essential businesses can stay open. So is your business essential? All business owners consider their business essential. Cities and states decide what’s essential business. Here’s a good list as provided by the federal government that serves as a good guide. If you think our business is essential and should remain open, please contact your local municipality for a waiver.

Supermarkets and grocery stores
Big-box stores
Pharmacies
Convenience stores and discount stores
Garbage collection
Healthcare operations
Daycare centers
Payroll services
Public safety
Hardware stores
Home maintenance
Gas stations and auto-repair shops
Banks
Post offices and shipping businesses
Veterinary clinics and pet stores
Farmers’ markets and food banks
Businesses that provide necessities to shelters and economically disadvantaged people
Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning
Agriculture and food processing
Warehousing, storage, and distribution
Transportation, including airlines, taxis, rideshare programs, and vehicle rentals
Businesses that allow essential businesses to operate

Nonessential businesses generally don’t provide groceries, health or financial support, or utilities. Restaurants fall in this category, but most locations have allowed restaurants to continue to operate as long as they close dining rooms and switch to exclusively take-out and delivery. Here’s a list of some obvious non-essential businesses: