April 3, 2020

Governor Extends Stay Home, Stay Safe Proclamation to May 4

On April 3, 2020, the Governor extended the Stay Home, Stay Healthy Proclamation through midnight on May 4. The restrictions remain the same: People are prohibited from leaving their home or place of residence except to conduct or participate in (1) essential activities (such as buying groceries or medicine) or (2) employment in providing essential business services.

What are essential business services?
The Governor has provided a list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers for fifteen sectors identifying the types of activities that are essential (healthcare/public health, emergency services, food and agriculture, energy, water and wastewater, transportation and logistics, communications and IT, other community-based government operations and essential functions, critical manufacturing, hazardous materials, financial services, chemical, real estate and mortgage, funeral services, defense industrial base), as well as guidance adding additional sectors (retail that is essential in part, automotive repairs and sales, renewable energies, commercial fishing, in-home child care for essential workers, moving companies). The Governor has also issued guidance for specific industries, including real estate and mortgage services and construction. Other state agencies have provided additional guidance for certain industries (e.g., Office of Fiscal Management’s guidance on public construction). In addition, the State has provided an online form where businesses can request clarification as to whether they are considered “essential” or to request inclusion on the list of essential businesses. We would be pleased to assist if you have questions about how the Proclamation and guidance applies to your business or entity.

How is the Stay Home order being enforced?
The Governor is encouraging voluntary compliance and is also working with state and local law enforcement to address violations of the Stay Home order. According to the Governor, the first step agencies will take is to educate businesses and individuals about how their actions increase the risks to public safety. If a business or individual refuses to come into compliance, agencies could take formal enforcement actions, including citations, suspension notices, revoking business licenses, potential criminal charges, and/or Consumer Protection Act actions. The State has created an online form for reporting businesses potentially violating the Stay Home order.