What are Essential Businesses & Operations?
Both Kansas City MO and the surrounding counties have now issued Stay at Home executive orders in effect until April 24. This means that individuals can only leave their home to engage in essential activities. Businesses must close if they do not fall under the definition of essential businesses.
The Jackson County website does a beautiful job of simplifying those definitions and answering questions. Here are a few basic answers found on the website:
What you are not allowed to do
- You cannot engage in group activities in person with others.
- You cannot have dinner parties. You cannot invite friends over to your home to hang out.
- You cannot go to bars or nightclubs.
- You cannot go to a nail salon or get your hair cut by a stylist or barber.
- You cannot go shopping for non-essential goods.
- You cannot take unnecessary trips on public transport or in your car or motorbike.
Is this mandatory or a guideline?
It is mandatory. You are required to comply, and it is a misdemeanor crime not to follow the order (although the intent is not for anyone to get into trouble). We are focused on voluntary compliance. Community has been tremendous in doing so thus far.
What is closed?
- Dine-in restaurants
- Bars and nightclubs
- Entertainment venues
- Gyms and fitness studios
Definition of Essential Businesses and Operations that can remain open:
- Healthcare and Public Health Operations: Working at or obtaining services from hospitals; clinics; dental offices; pharmacies; public health entities; healthcare manufacturers and suppliers; blood banks; medical cannabis facilities; reproductive health care providers; eye care centers; home healthcare services providers; mental health and substance use providers; ancillary healthcare services — including veterinary care and excluding fitness and exercise gyms, spas, salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, and similar facilities
- Human Services Operations: any provider funded by DHS, DCFS or Medicaid; long-term care facilities; home-based and residential settings for adults, seniors, children, and/or people with disabilities or mental illness; transitional facilities; field offices for food, cash assistance, medical coverage, child care, vocational services or rehabilitation services; developmental centers; adoption agencies; businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services and other necessities of life for needy individuals — excluding group day care homes.
- Essential Infrastructure: Working in food production, distribution and sale; building management and maintenance; airport operations; insurance companies, operation and maintenance of utilities, including water, sewer, and gas; electrical; distribution centers; oil and biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid waste and recycling collection and removal; and internet, video, and telecommunications systems
- Construction: If working outside can keep social distancing and 10 or less rule. If inside keep staffing to a minimum and respect social distancing
- Stores that sell groceries and medicine
- Food, beverage (to go, carry out or curbside), liquor stores and cannabis production and agriculture
- Organizations that provide charitable and social services
- Media
- Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation
- Financial institutions
- Hardware and supply stores
- Critical trades, including plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, auto repair shops, and other service providers that maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses and Operations
- Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services
- Educational institutions, for purposes of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions. Schools can still provide “to-go” food for their students
- Laundry services
- Lawn Care Companies
- Restaurants for consumption off-premises
- Supplies to work from home
- Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations
- Transportation, for purposes of Essential Travel
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities and shelters
- Professional services
- Day care centers for employees exempted by this Executive Order
- Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries
- Critical labor union functions
- Hotels and motels, to the extent used for lodging and delivery or carry-out food services