Knowing which providers operate as essential businesses during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, could lessen worries over emergencies that could confront us.
The threats of the novel coronavirus are everywhere and we are now in a situation where service providers might not be around to help us. Even as we shelter-in-place, some of us have to occasionally leave the house to buy food and other general provisions. Some may even have to seek medical attention for health problems, while fervently praying for God to forbid the illness as a case of Covid-19 infection.
Now what if my car bogs down and leaves me stranded in the middle of the road; worried that I will be unable to go home before the curfew hour starts. Are roadside assistance providers among the essential businesses allowed to operate in this kind of crisis? If so, will they be able to deploy the closest towing services to whichever location I’m at?
Although you might point out that I could simply check with a towing company by calling one up before leaving the house, if only to make sure. Still, just for the sake of discussion, let us consider the possibility that some will be tackling an emergency situation, while unprepared to handle a vehicle breakdown.
Actually, even common house maladies like leaking pipes, electrical overload, malfunctioning air conditioning or heating systems, just to name a few, could crop up as an emergency situation. Well we can have better peace of mind if we know for sure that providers of services for these kinds of problems, are allowed to operate as essential businesses during the ongoing crisis. .
What is Considered as an Essential Business?
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided local and state governments a long, comprehensive list of what to consider as essential businesses during a public health crisis. However, not all states have the same views and circumstances on which to base decisions in considering a type of business as essential. Although some that operate for nonrecreational purposes will be considered as nonessential, their business will not be prohibited. Instead, they are requested to operate mostly by using online technologies and through the Internet of things.
That being the case, there could be some service providers in your area who will be barred from operating physically even if their line of business is considered as essential in other regions.
What we all know is that basically, an essential business is distinguished by its purpose as being non-recreational or not for sheer pleasure and entertainment.
The medical industry, the infrastructures, the entire corps of medical professionals, workers, first responders, technicians, technologists and other members of medical support teams working in the frontlines, are of course the first and foremost essential sectors.
Pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, manufacturers of medical supplies, equipment and disinfectants; providers of ambulatory vehicles, delivery transports, crematoriums and other services needed in the fight against Covid-19, are all essential.
Healthcare providers, caregivers, public health workers and all other professionals and personnel working behind the frontlines to prevent the infectious disease from spreading are likewise essential.
The list of essential businesses is actually quite long, but generally include those that can manufacture, produce and deliver food supplies such as grocery stores, farms, as well as those that can deploy related transport and inspection services.
The list also includes those that provide utility services and assistance to the public like plumbers, electricians, structural or systems repair and maintenance technicians, towing services and other forms of assistance that a local and/or state government determines as essential in its jurisdictions.