DC Orders Closure of Non-Essential Businesses
DC orders closure of non-essential businesses
Mayor Bowser has announced that as of 10 PM today Wednesday, March 25, all non-essential businesses in the District of Columbia are to close. This affects all businesses with a facility in Washington, DC.
The closures are based on CISA Guidance but the Mayor’s order also offers some clarifications important to our members:
- All businesses are encouraged to maintain telework operations
- All businesses shall take all reasonable steps necessary for employees to work remotely
- Financial services including banks, credit unions and related financial services are considered essential
- Professional services, including accounting and tax preparation, are considered essential only when necessary to assist with compliance with legally mandated activities, essential business, or essential government functions
However, even non-essential business are allowed to enter facilities in order to maintain Minimum Basic Operations, which means:
- To process payroll and employee benefits,
- To maintain value of inventory,
- To ensure security;
- To do the minimum necessary to maintain the infrastructure to allow telework,
- To disinfect, and
- To supervise employees or contractors providing essential maintenance.
Link to CISA Guidance
https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce
Link to Bowser’s order
