Shelter-in-Place
Dear WMFHA members,
Today, Governor Inslee announced a shelter-in-place order called Stay Home, Stay Healthy. It goes into effect on Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30 pm.
The order does the following:
- Requires every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity.
- Bans all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes.
- Closes all businesses except essential businesses.
The Emergency Order identifies the following categories of businesses to be Critical Infrastructure Working Businesses as
- Workers to ensure continuity of building functions (pg 10)
- Security staff to maintain building access control and physical security measures (pg 10)
- Construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, maintenance of… and for residential construction related to emergency repairs and projects that ensure structural integrity (pg 11)
- Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of construction sites and construction projects (pg 11)
- Professional services such as legal or accounting and tax preparation services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities and critical sector services (pg 11)
- Workers providing, maintaining and preparing heating, cooling, and refrigeration services (pg 11)
- Professional employer organizations providing payroll benefits, regulatory assistance and HR services (pg 11)
Like the rest of this evolving situation this is likely to affect the everyday life of many of us, including the onsite teams that make multifamily communities run smoothly. The Governor has assured the public that citizens of Washington are free to travel to and from work, but if a team member would feel more safe carrying a letter identifying themselves as an Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker, they may do so. To learn more about how Governor Inslee's Stay Home Stay Healthy Order will be enforced you can read this article.
Things change rapidly related to the COVID-19 outbreak, and WMFHA continues to monitor every emergency order from federal, state, and local public leaders. We will provide updated information as it evolves and urge you to seek further guidance from the following resources:
If you have questions, please contact Brett Waller by email or at 425.656.9077.