MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Gov. Inslee provides clarity on essential businesses during stay-at-home order

Apr 1, 2020, 10:31 AM | Updated: Oct 8, 2024, 7:11 am

Rabinowitz, coronavirus...

Only essential business and services remain open in Washington state after Gov. Jay Inslee announced the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order to help slow the spread of coronavirus. (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Gov. Jay Inslee provided an updated list Tuesday, of other businesses that qualify as essential during Washington’s ongoing stay-at-home order.

Full details on what’s allowed under Inslee’s stay-at-home order

The new list now includes automotive repair facilities, but staffed by “only the minimum number of workers required to support or provide a service.”

Also added to the new guidance issued by Inslee are car and truck dealerships, as long as they’re closing a transaction that began before the stay-at-home order was issued, or replacing a totaled or damaged vehicle.

Dealerships can only have one employee present in the building at a time, while on-site visits with customers must be by appointment only.

How to order food from Washington restaurants during stay-at-home order

Nannies are now listed as essential workers as well, provided they are caring for the children of parents who are essential workers themselves.

Tobacco and vape shops qualify as essential if they also sell food.

Washington’s stay-at-home order was originally slated to span two weeks. That said, Gov. Inslee has intimated that he intends to extend the order beyond that time frame, as the state’s coronavirus outbreak continues to escalate.

You can read the full clarification on essential businesses from Gov. Inslee’s office here for further details.

MyNorthwest News

Flying for the holidays? SEA airport ranks No. 3 for fewer travel disruptions...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Flying for the holidays? SEA Airport ranks No. 3 for fewer travel disruptions

If you're worried about flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) airport for the holidays, a new consumer report may ease your mind. SEA ranks third among the best airports for avoiding travel disruptions, according to a ConsumerAffairs report. By utilizing U.S. Department of Transportation data from 2024 and 2025, the study ranks small, medium, and large airports, with Seattle in the large category. 

6 hours ago

veteran...

Manda Factor

Lakewood’s American Lake Veterans Golf Course helps veterans find purpose

Lake Veterans Golf Course offers more than a round of golf. It offers veterans a place to find purpose and connect with others.

7 hours ago

kentridge hs...

MyNorthwest Staff

2 transported to hospital after hazmat situation at Kent high school

Two people were transported to the hospital by ambulance after a hazmat situation at Kentridge High School.

8 hours ago

New partial joint installed on Tacoma Narrows Bridge...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

New partial joint installed on Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Some good news for drivers who regularly use the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Washington State Department of Transportation says the new partial joint has been installed on the aging structure.

8 hours ago

reward Lakewood (1)...

James Lynch

Reward increased to $50,000 in 2002 Lakewood murder case

The reward for information about the whereabouts of Liban Abdulkadir Sheikh has increased to $50,000.

9 hours ago

Washington dairy herd quarantined after bird flu detection...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7 News

Washington dairy herd quarantined after bird flu detection

The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a Benton County dairy herd.

9 hours ago

Gov. Inslee provides clarity on essential businesses during stay-at-home order