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Category essential business   Show all

• New Construction Guidance from Governor Inslee

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  Yesterday, Governor Inslee provided clarifying guidance for what counts as "essential" construction.

  “In general, commercial and residential construction is not authorized under the proclamation because construction is not considered to be an essential activity.

  "However, an exception to the order allows for construction in the following limited circumstances:

  a) Construction related to essential activities as described in the order;

  b) To further a public purpose related to a public entity or governmental function or facility, including but not limited to publicly financed low-income housing; or

  c) To prevent spoliation and avoid damage or unsafe conditions, and address emergency repairs at both non-essential businesses and residential structures."

  See the full guidance at https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-provides-construction-guidance-and-signs-proclamations-ui-rules-healthcare

  
  

• Travel Only for Essential Needs

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  With the new "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order, we must all stay home and not travel, unless it's for an "essential need." What does that mean for Sammamish residents?
  

  o Do your part. Sammamish residents must stay at home, except for emergency travel or essential needs. This also means not having friends or family over for dinner parties or get-togethers.

  o Essential needs may include travel to grocery stores and food banks, pharmacies, gas stations, urgent or emergency medical care, caring for an elderly or sick family member, and travel to work for essential staff as defined by state or local authorities.

  o Law enforcement’s primary role is education and engagement with the community. The Sammamish Police Department and the King County Sheriff's Office will work to educate the public about how to best comply with stay-at-home orders and keep themselves safe. Sammamish residents, with a few exceptions, understand the severity of the situation are doing all they can already to keep themselves, their families and neighbors safe and healthy. No law enforcement agencies have any desire to make any arrests or take anybody to jail for violations. That said, please do not call 911 to report social distancing violations. Instead, call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.

  o Freight travel with supplies for grocery stores will continue -- Please don't overstock. When people buy more than they need, the people who need supplies most – such as health workers and seniors – are forced to go without. Grocery shelves will remain stocked if everyone sticks to their normal buying habits. Please try to limit your trips to the store to once per week to limit your exposure to others.

  o Discretionary travel is limited to managing urgent needs such as helping an elderly neighbor purchase groceries or providing care or support to a sick family member, for example.

  o Maintain social distancing at all times when in public. Staying six feet apart from one another is absolutely crucial to preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

• What's an "Essential Business?"

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  With the order from Governor Inslee on March 23, all except for "essential businesses" must close starting March 25, for a period of at least two weeks. But what businesses are defined as essential? In Sammamish, this means our grocery stores will stay open; restaurants can continue offering delivery, drive-through, and take-out; police and fire departments will be fully staffed, utility workers will continue to provide services to residents, and City Hall will remain operational (with some modifications).

  Visit this resource from the Washington State COVID-19 page to learn more about what sort of business operations are and are not allowed at this time.