Rice Business Report April 2020 Edition Rice Business Report April 2020 | Page 18

Rice Business Report
April 2020
What is allowed under Houston's 'Stay Home, Work
Safe' order?
Beginning Tuesday, all individuals living within Houston and Harris County are ordered to
stay home, only leaving the house to "perform allowed activities."
So what is allowed under the "Stay Home, Work Safe" order?
There are four categories of activities allowed under the order:
"Activities related to maintaining health and safety of your family and your pets." The order provides
examples, such as seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies and visiting a health care pro-
fessional. The exception includes caring for a family member or pet in another household.
"Activities to obtain necessary supplies for you, your family and household." This part of the exception
includes groceries or food, pet supplies and pet food, supplies needed to work from home and consumer
products, such as toilet paper and cleaning supplies
Outdoor activity, such as walking, running or cycling." These activities are allowed under the order as
long social distancing -- staying 6 feet away from others -- is practiced; don't visit parks,gyms or anyplace
else that has surfaces you touch.
"Working for an exempted business of government that is providing services needed by the public dur-
ing this crisis." Under the order, all businesses are to close other than allowing employees to work from
home, maintaining security and maintenance of the business' property, and facilitating information
technology services that allow employees to work from home.
RELATED: Houston, Harris County issue 'Stay home, Work safe order'
RELATED: Houston to 'Stay home, work safe' | So what is an essential business or job?
Businesses that are exempt from the order include:
Healthcare operations - this includes hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmaceutical companies and veteri-
nary offices.
Government functions that provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the public - this includes first
responders, emergency personnel, trash collection, water and electric utilities.
School and education personnel - this includes public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities
that are facilitating distance learning.
Companies providing or maintaining infrastructure - this includes construction of public works, housing,
or other infrastructure to support critical needs, like gas, electricity, sewage, water, internet, and tele-
communications.
Businesses related to transportation - this includes gas stations, repair shops, car dealerships, manufac-
turers, public transportation (buses, taxis, rideshare companies, and the airports).
Information technology companies providing and maintaining internet and telecommunications systems
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