Under “safer at home” order, which business and services are considered essential?

Last week, California state Governor, Gavin Newsom, announced a “shelter in place” order for the entire state of California. The order was given in response to the COVID-19 crisis. COVID-19 is an incredibly contagious respiratory disease with a much higher mortality rate than the seasonal flu. To date, there is no cure. The fear is that if people across California keep gathering in large groups like they are used to, that the virus will spread too quickly for our healthcare industry to keep up. By staying at home, we are slowing the spread of the disease in a way that is likely to save hundreds if not thousands of lives.

Of course, the “safer at home” order does not apply to people working in essential fields, which are the following as defined by our state government:

Healthcare/Public Health: People working in these fields are on the front lines of the disease. They administer treatment to everyone who is already infected. We absolutely cannot do without them.

Emergency Services Sector: Emergencies are not going to pause in light of this stay at home order. We will still have to rely on first responders for help and assistance.

Food & Agriculture: One of the few things people are allowed to leave the house for is for food and groceries. We cannot shut down that supply chain.

Energy: We still need energy in order to fuel work from home and essential workers.

Water & Wastewater: Something everyone needs in their homes and in healthcare facilities.

Transportation & Logistics: Essential workers need to get to and from their places of work, therefore transportation cannot shut down.

Communication & Information Technology: We need communication infrastructure more than ever before. This is a global pandemic.

Critical Manufacturing: In particular, personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.

Hazardous Materials: These still need to be handled safely and responsibly.

Financial Services: We are experiencing an economic downturn. We need financial professionals ready and at work.

Chemical: This industry represents a global supply chain that cannot be interrupted.

Defense Industrial Base: National security commitments must still be met.

If you work in one of these sectors, your professional life will likely remain unchanged. If you do not work in an essential sector, expect to either work from home or spend some time away from work while our nation attempts to slow the spread of this horrible virus.