Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • Issues
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • Issues Archive
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Home News What businesses can still operate during stay-at-home order?

What businesses can still operate during stay-at-home order?

Realtors, construction workers and HVAC employees continue work.

Published March 31, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday issued a temporary stay-at-home order through June 10 in response to coronavirus, but what are Virginians still allowed to do?

Essentially, Virginians will only be able to leave their homes for essential reasons — such as picking up groceries or prescriptions, seeking medical care or going to a job if necessary. But essential businesses include more than one may think, as the order does not require that the operation of businesses be closed to the public.

The following is a list of essential retail businesses, according to the governor: 

  • Grocery stores, pharmacies and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores, as well as department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations
  • medical, laboratory and vision supply retailers
  • electronic retailers that sell or service cellphones, computers, tablets and other communications technology
  • automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers, as well as automotive repair facilities
  • home improvement, hardware, building material and building supply retailers
  • lawn and garden equipment retailers
  • beer, wine and liquor stores
  • retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores
  • retail within health care facilities
  • banks and other financial institutions with retail functions
  • pet stores and feed stores
  • printing and office supply stores
  • laundromats and dry cleaners

Aside from retail, other industries are operating in-person while adhering to social distancing guidelines. 

Although Virginia Realtors is strongly recommending that members stop holding in-person open houses, the association says that Realtors are still be able to conduct business. 

“Try to meet with clients virtually as much as you can,” according to Virginia Realtors’ COVID-19 resources page. “Unlike other states where the governor has spelled out in detail what is and is not allowed, Virginia has left this more open. This ambiguity can benefit the industry if the industry continues to be responsible and take precautions.”

Individual showings are still permitted, but Virginia Realtors recommends that agents work with clients to limit the number of properties they show. 

The construction industry is still continuing work on projects and adhering to social distancing guidelines.

“We have only seen a few jobs shut down, and most of them involve nursing homes additions,” says Pat Dean, president of the Associated Builders Contractors Virginia chapter.  “If we do see [shutdowns], it’s going to be because a developer says ‘hey, let’s stop for a minute, and let’s make sure everyone is on board with all of the protocols we’re going to need to be doing. 

“We have not slowed down, we’re just working differently. We have to be safer than ever. You’ll see members doing temperature testing and interview questions of everybody that enters the job site.”

HVAC, plumbing and electrical companies are still operating as well. 

“We are issuing protective gear to each technician so that we can continue to provide routine preventative maintenance and emergency services without interruption,” Justin Andress, president of Richmond-based HVAC contracting company Woodfin, said in a statement to customers. “We have modified our paid-time-off policies to ensure that no one here at Woodfin will be forced to decide between their financial well-being and their health.”

Golf courses are allowed to remain open under the executive order, but clubhouses must close.

For questions not addressed by this list, contact the Virginia state government by calling 211 or emailing [email protected].

This is a developing story. Wondering what other businesses continue to operate in-person? Contact assistant editor Sydney Lake with questions or tips.

Subscribe to Virginia Business.

Get our daily e-newsletter.

Related Stories

Dr. Rebekah Sensenig

What can your business do to fight coronavirus?

Dr. Rebekah A. Sensenig, an infectious disease specialist with Riverside Health System, offers advice.

Virginia Business logo

State allocates additional $11M to struggling transit systems

Commonwealth Transportation Board funds are aimed at helping transit agencies recover from ridership losses and other COVID-19-related operating expenses.

Linsey Marr, the Charles P. Lunsford Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, and an expert in airborne disease transmission, stands (in front) with Charbel Harb (left) and Jin Pan (right), both Ph.D. students. Photo courtesy Virginia Tech

‘It’s not N95 or bust’

Va. Tech researcher finds three-layer cloth masks are 74% effective at protecting mask wearers, others

Trending

Dollar Tree CEO resigning; former Dollar General CEO to replace him

Rivers Casino Portsmouth opens to big crowds

Framatome CEO retiring; CFO to be promoted

Va. bill aims to reduce mental health stigma for health care workers

Norfolk’s MacArthur Center mall listed for sale

Sponsored Stories

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

Dollar Tree CEO resigning; former Dollar General CEO to replace him

Rivers Casino Portsmouth opens to big crowds

Framatome CEO retiring; CFO to be promoted

Va. bill aims to reduce mental health stigma for health care workers

Norfolk’s MacArthur Center mall listed for sale

Sponsored Stories

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk