The Governor has issued a stay-at-home order starting at 5 PM Saturday, March 21, until Tuesday, April 7. I want to make sure you understand what this means for you and dispel some rumors you may have heard.
Under this order, many things won’t change. You’ll still be able to leave your house to go to the doctor, buy groceries, visit a pharmacy, fill your car with gas, and to take a walk or go for a run. Many people will still be able to go to work.
Please, don’t rush to the grocery store and don’t hoard food or supplies. These resources will continue to be available to you. You’ll also still be able to pick up dinner from local restaurants. Banks will remain open as will veterinarians, plumbers, laundromats, and banks. Farmers will continue to work their fields.
Roads, bridges, and the fundamental building blocks of our society will remain open.
So what will change? Starting tomorrow at 5 PM, all non-essential businesses must stop operating. If you can work from home, but aren’t already doing so, now is the time to start. If you don’t have to go out, stay at home and do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. If you do have to go out, be safe about it. Maintain proper social distancing, wash your hands, and don’t touch your face.
As we enter this new phase in the fight against COVID-19, we hope you’ll take a moment to remember the heroes who are on the front lines of this pandemic. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers are on the front lines providing vital medical care. National Guard, police, fire, and EMTs are keeping us safe while truckers and people in the manufacturing business are keeping our supply chain moving.
Grocery store, gas station, and pharmacy employees continue to provide access to daily essentials like food, fuel, and medication. Small businesses, people in the foodservice industry, and delivery drivers are going above and beyond to provide goods and services and comfort to us as we stay at home to prevent further spread of the virus. Members of the media are working to provide information to the public.
What the Governor’s Executive Order does is ask you to stay home and support these people in the critical work they’re doing. We are asked to stay at home because these people can’t. We must all do our part.
For more details about the executive order, please click here.