Has your business been deemed “essential” to society during Dallas County’s shelter in place order?
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued an amendment to the “Stay Home Stay Safe” order on Sunday requiring all people living in Dallas County to stay home — except for a handful of essential activities and jobs.
Local officials are hoping that the order will help control the spread of the new coronavirus. Hospital groups have warned that if more Texans don’t stay at home, hospitals could run out of beds to treat COVID-19 patients by late April.
The shelter-in-place order was to take effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Neighboring counties and the state haven’t gone as far as Dallas County in imposing restrictions. On Tuesday, the City of Dallas enacted its own measures reinforcing the County order through the end of April.
Employers not covered by Dallas County’s definition of “essential businesses” may be putting their employees at risk by requiring them to come into a physical office location, especially considering that the county has warned that residents who violate the order could face fines or jail time.
Here is a list of the jobs in Dallas County that will still be cleared to go to work Tuesday.
Dallas County’s order classifies health care, government, media, specific retail operations, social services and child care businesses as “essential.” Employees of essential businesses are still encouraged to practice social distancing, maintaining at least 6 feet between people in public areas, workplaces and residences.
'Essential’ health care businesses
- Hospitals
- In-home health care for seniors, adults or children
- Clinics
- Dentists
- Pharmacies
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Health care suppliers
- Mental health providers
- Substance-abuse service providers
- Blood banks
- Medical research facilities
- Laboratory services
- Veterinary care for animals
'Essential’ government functions
- Government functions that are “needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public” are broadly included.
‘Essential’ infrastructure businesses
- Public works construction
- Residential and commercial construction
- Airport operations
- Water, sewer, gas and electrical businesses
- Oil refining
- Road and highway work
- Public transportation (including DART rail and buses)
- Solid waste collection and removal
- Internet and telecommunications systems businesses
- Financial institutions
- Defense and national security-related operations
- Essential manufacturing operations
'Essential’ retail businesses
- Grocery stores
- Warehouse stores
- Big-box stores
- Bodegas
- Liquor stores
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Farmers markets that sell food products and household staples
- Businesses that ship or deliver groceries directly to homes
- Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food are only permitted to remain open for delivery or carryout services
- Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
- Automotive suppliers as well as auto and bicycle repair services
- Hardware stores
- Any business that supplies products needed for people to work remotely during the pandemic
'Essential’ services
- Businesses that provide social services and services necessary to life for the economically disadvantaged
- Trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal
- Mail and shipping services
- Building cleaning and maintenance
- Warehouse, distribution and fulfillment services
- Storage services for essential businesses included in this list
- Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
- Plumbers, electricians, exterminators and other services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and operations of residences and businesses included in this list
- Professional services such as legal and accounting services for businesses included in this list
- News media
- Child care facilities that provide services to employees of businesses included in this list.
- Ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft and delivery drivers are also essential services, according to a tweet from Judge Jenkins on Monday.
