North American Non-Essential Business Shutdowns by State/Province
Many U.S. governors and Canadian premiers have issued executive orders over the past two weeks mandating non-essential workers to stay home in an effort to avoid increasing their exposure to or further amplifying the spread of coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19.
But it is important to note that some business functions, including manufacturing and often construction or trucking, have been deemed essential and are exempt from such mandates. Because of the importance of medical supply and other industrial production at this time, it's critical that manufacturing business leaders review the specific guidelines for their state and continue work if allowed to support the efforts against the further spread of coronavirus.
Click below to view specific shutdown orders:
- Map of Shutdown Orders
- U.S. Business Shutdown Orders (alphabetical by state)
- Canada Business Shutdown Orders (alphabetical by province)
- Volunteer to Manufacture Critical Supplies
If your industrial business can support the production of essential supplies needed to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, please complete this form to notify us of your availability and willingness to dedicate resources to the ongoing effort.
Map of Shutdown Orders
U.S. Business Shutdown Orders
Last updated: April 13, 2020
Alabama
On March 27, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey ordered all non-essential businesses across the state to close effective 5 pm on March 28.
Alaska
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a statewide shelter-in-place mandate on March 28 requiring all residents to remain home and all non-essential businesses to remain closed until at least April 11.
Arizona
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order requiring non-essential businesses to cease operations and for residents to remain home whenever possible.
California
On March 19, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order mandating that all Californians stay home to limit the spread of coronavirus but made an exception as needed to maintain operations for federal critical infrastructure sectors.
Colorado
On March 25, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order announcing that all residents should stay at home and all non-essential businesses should close effective the evening of March 26.
List of Exempt Businesses (Begins on Page 3)
Connecticut
On March 21, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont suspended all non-essential, in-person business operations as of March 23 with the exception of those businesses providing critical functions. The state is also seeking donations of PPE. If you are able to donate, please click here.
Delaware
On March 23, Delaware Governor John Carney ordered residents to remain at home and closed all non-essential businesses effective March 24, with the exception of specific critical businesses.
List of Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Business FAQs
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, you may submit a request in writing via electronic mail to covid19faq@delaware.gov for consideration. You will receive a decision within one week of your submission.
Florida
On April 1, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order that all non-essential businesses across the state should close and residents should stay home beginning on April 3. This is a change from previous orders, which only restricted business for specific counties across the state.
Georgia
Late on April 2, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a shelter-in-place order for the state effective at 6 pm ET on April 3; this order automatically limits the operation of any non-essential businesses.
Hawaii
On March 23, Hawaii Governor David Ige announced that all residents should stay at home and all non-essential businesses should close. While the restrictions are slightly looser than those in other states, they still dictate that only employees of exempt businesses should be going to work during this time.
Idaho
On March 25, Idaho Governor Brad Little issued a statewide stay at home order and closed all non-essential businesses effective immediately; the mandate is scheduled to continue through the next 21 days. The order will be reevaluated at a later date to determine whether it should be extended.
List of Exempt Businesses (FAQ Format)
Formal List of Exempt Businesses
Illinois
On March 20, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a statewide stay at home order for the entire state through at least April 7.
List of Exempt Business (starting from page 4 of the Executive Order)
Indiana
On March 23, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb ordered residents to stay in their homes unless working for an essential business. The announcement will go into effect on March 25 and will run through April 7 unless otherwise updated.
List of Exempt Businesses (pages 3-8)
General questions from the public or healthcare provider inquiries about COVID-19 may be directed to the ISDH COVID-19 Call Center at the toll-free number 877-826-0011 (available 24/7) or email epiresource@isdh.in.gov.
Iowa
On April 2, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds extended the executive order closing all non-essential businesses through April 30. The order does not include an official directive asking residents to stay at home, though the governor has asked residents to do so on an unofficial basis.
Kansas
On March 29, Kansa Governor Laura Kelly issued an order mandating residents to stay at home and non-essential businesses to close effective March 30. The order will remain in place until at least April 19.
List of Exempt Businesses (Begins on page 4)
If you believe your business should be considered essential but did not see it in the list of exempt businesses, visit the Kansas Essential Functions Request website or directly contact KEFF@ks.gov.
Kentucky
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that non-essential businesses across the state will close effective the evening of March 26.
Louisiana
On March 22, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statewide “Stay at Home” order effective March 23 and running through April 12 unless modified. Some specific businesses that produce essential materials or provide critical functions may continue operations.
More information on exempt businesses delineations
Maine
On March 24, Maine Governor Janet Mills ordered all non-essential businesses to stop operations and requested that essential businesses limit in-store customers and maintain physical distance between employees and customers. The directive will remain in place until April 8.
If the function of your business is not listed, but you believe that it is essential, you may request designation as an essential business here. Other questions may also be directed to business.answers@maine.gov.
Maryland
- Maryland-specific COVID-19 resources
- Maryland-specific COVID-19 resources for businesses
- Maryland-specific COVID-19 resource guide
On March 23, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order urging residents to stay home and work from home if possible. Some critical business functions, such as manufacturing, will be allowed to continue operations under these measures. On March 30, a new executive order mandated that residents stay at home and imposed stricter limitations on non-essential businesses and activities.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, contact Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. Businesses interested in emergency operations engagement can learn more here.
Massachusetts
On March 23, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker mandated all non-essential businesses to stop in-person operations effective March 24 - with the exception of a few essential businesses - until April 7 unless otherwise updated.
To request designation as an essential business, click here. Any additional questions can be directed to covid19.biz@mass.gov.
Michigan
On March 23, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order requiring non-essential workers to stay home effective March 24 and continuing through April 3 unless updated. Some critical businesses are exempt from these guidelines.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, email COVID19@michigan.gov.
Minnesota
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that effective March 27, all non-essential businesses would be closed and all residents should stay at home until April 10 unless announced otherwise.
As hospitals and health care providers continue to report severe PPE shortages, Governor Walz also signed an executive order specifically directing all non-hospital entities to inventory their PPE, ventilators, respirators, and anesthesia machines, report results to the state, and either donate such equipment to a local coordinating entity or preserve it.
Mississippi
On April 2, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a shelter-in-place order for the entire state, which goes into effect at 5 pm ET on April 3 and will remain in place until the morning of April 20. This means all non-essential businesses must remain closed until that time.
Missouri
Effective April 6, Missouri Governor Mike Parson issued a stay at home order for the state that will remain in effect until at least April 24. However, as outlined in the state’s FAQs, this does not mean that workplaces that do not qualify as essential businesses have to close, though they do need to follow social distancing guidelines. Businesses that are deemed essential may also continue operations.
Montana
Late on March 26, Montana Governor Steve Bullock issued a stay at home directive requiring residents to stay at home and closing non-essential businesses across the state effective March 28 and scheduled to continue until April 10.
Nebraska
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has limited some businesses from operating, specifically any in which 6 feet of social distance cannot be maintained and that are not deemed particularly essential. This rule will be in effect until April 30th. He also expanded the formal health directives to apply to all counties across the state, a change from previous guidance that only applied to a select list of counties.
Nevada
On March 23, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak issued a new directive ordering non-essential businesses across the state to close, with the exception of some critical businesses.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, contact Governor Sisolak’s office.
New Hampshire
On March 26, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced a stay at home order for the state and instructed all non-essential businesses to close effective midnight on March 27. The order will be in effect until May 4.
New Jersey
On March 21, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an order requiring all non-essential personnel to stay home, with the exception of employees of manufacturing, trucking, and construction businesses, along with select other companies.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, contact the office of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the Superintendent of State Police who is also the State Director of Emergency Management.
New Mexico
Late on March 23, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered residents to stay at home under new measures effective March 24 and scheduled to continue through April 10. Only essential businesses may continue operations during this time.
New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns - such as requesting their business be recognized as essential - can also call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated regularly.
New York
On March 20, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all non-essential workers to stay at home, an escalation from his March 19 announcement requesting that 75% of non-essential workers remain home. The order takes effect on March 22. Exceptions do apply to some critical businesses.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, apply for an exemption in NY here.
North Carolina
On March 28, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper ordered residents to stay home with a new executive order effective March 30 and in place until at least April 29. Non-essential businesses must remain closed during this time.
List of Exempt Businesses (Begins on Page 4)
If you do not think your business is included in the essential services list, and you think it should be, you may apply online at the NC Department of Revenue to be designated essential. Until your exemption is reviewed, you may operate as long as your business can accommodate social distancing in your workplace.
Ohio
On March 22, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the state would be operating under a “Stay at Home” order effective March 23 through April 6 unless modified. Some essential businesses may continue their operations during this time.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, click here for more information.
Oklahoma
On April 1, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt ordered all non-essential businesses statewide to cease operations through April 30. His previous announcements had only closed businesses in specific counties across the state - this new order applies to all counties statewide.
Oregon
On March 23, Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued an immediately effective executive order mandating all Oregon residents to stay at home as much as possible and further expanded the list of non-essential businesses to limit statewide COVID-19 spread.
List of Exempt Business (Beginning on page 4)
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, contact Governor Brown’s office.
Pennsylvania
On March 19, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses to close immediately to prevent further spread of coronavirus but made exceptions for specific, essential businesses.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, apply for an exemption in PA here.
Rhode Island
On March 28, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo issued a stay at home order effective March 30 until April 13. During this time, non-essential businesses must remain closed.
For questions on these guidelines, please submit your questions online to the Department of Business Regulation using this web form. You may also call the Department of Business Regulation at 401-889-5550.
South Carolina
- South Carolina-specific COVID-19 resources
- South Carolina-specific COVID-19 resources for businesses
On March 31, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered all non-essential businesses statewide to close effective April 1 and asked residents to stay home to limit the continued spread of COVID-19.
List of Exempt Businesses (A list specific to South Carolina is not yet available. In the meantime, please refer to these federal guidelines.)
Tennessee
On March 30, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued a statewide order shutting down non-essential businesses and asking people to stay in their homes as much as possible to avoid further spread of COVID-19. The order goes into effect on March 31 and continues through April 14.
Texas
On April 1, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order shutting down all non-essential businesses. The order goes into effect on April 2 and runs until April 30.
Utah
Utah Governor Gary Herbert has not yet issued a formal stay at home order or published an official list of essential vs. non-essential businesses, instead directing business leaders to “do what is right for their employees and customers” based on CDC guidelines. While some counties have issued their own essential business lists, there is no statewide guidance at this time. If your local county has not included your business in their exempt list, the governor recommends you contact your local county health department directly.
Vermont
On March 24, Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued an order directing all residents to stay home and all non-essential businesses to cease in-person operations. The order goes into effect the evening of March 25, at which point only essential businesses may continue work.
List of Exempt Businesses (Begins on page 2)
Commercial entities, non-profits, employers, and others with questions about acceptable continuation of business operations should contact the Agency of Commerce and Community Development via this online form.
Virginia
On March 23, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a statewide order to close all non-essential businesses, effective March 24 and applicable until midnight on April 23.
If your business is not included in the list but you feel you can support the production of essential supplies needed during the outbreak, contact your local Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) consultant at https://www.doli.virginia.gov/vosh-programs/consultation/
Washington
On March 23, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a stay at home order effective immediately that only allows workers at essential businesses or residents doing essential activities to leave their homes.
To clarify or certify status, or to petition to be added to the list of essential businesses, visit the Washington State Business Re-Entry Registration website.
Washington, D.C.
On March 24th, all non-essential businesses were ordered to close for a month by Washington D.C.'s mayor, Muriel Bowser. Essential businesses are still allowed to remain open.
List of Essential Businesses (begins on page 4)
If your business is not listed as essential, but you feel it provides essential services, you can fill out a request for a waiver here.
West Virginia
Late on March 23, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice issued a stay at home order for residents, with the exception of employees at essential businesses and those residents conducting essential activities, effective March 24.
List of Exempt Businesses (begins on page 4)
Wisconsin
On March 24, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a stay-at-home order to all residents, with the exception of some essential businesses.
List of Exempt Businesses (begins on page 5)
Wyoming
Effective April 3, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon closed all non-essential businesses across the state but essential businesses are expected to continue operations while following social distancing guidelines.
*Local City or County Shutdowns
Some counties, such as Dallas County in Texas, have enacted stricter shutdowns than the rest of their states. Similarly, some cities, such as Atlanta, Georgia, have also enacted stricter stay at home orders and non-essential business shutdowns than other local areas across the states.
Note that manufacturing businesses are exempt from these state-ordered business closures – learn more about that in our Thomas Insights article.
Canada Business Shutdown Orders
The Canadian government is calling for companies that can supply products to fight the coronavirus. Submit your company's info here to help out.
Alberta
Alberta has closed all nonessential businesses starting March 27th. Although they have an essential businesses list, any companies not on the nonessential businesses list can continue to operate as long as they don’t break the restrictions on gatherings.
List of Nonessential Businesses
Companies with questions about their status can email the government at BizConnect@gov.ab.ca.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador had already ordered shutdowns for some businesses such as tattoo parlors and hair salons starting March 18th, but it has since expanded shutdowns for all nonessential businesses starting March 23rd.
Ontario
On March 23rd, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ordered all non-essential stores and services to close by 11:59 on Tuesday, March 24th. Currently the shutdown is to last until May 6th, although it may be extended further. Teleworking and online commerce are still permitted. Toronto has started compliance audits to make sure nonessential companies are staying closed. On April 3rd, the province updated the list of essential businesses; the link to the updated list is below:
Companies that want to help the province by providing supplies, services, or ideas can submit their information here.
Prince Edward Island
- Prince Edward Island-specific COVID-19 resources
- Prince Edward Island-specific COVID-19 business resources
Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Officer has announced shutdowns for all nonessential businesses and other services starting March 27th for an indefinite period.
List of essential and nonessential businesses
Quebec
Premier François Legault has extended the shutdown of all companies except essential businesses until May 4th. Construction sites and factories will also be required to close.
If you feel your business is essential even though it's not listed, or you have other concerns, you can fill out this form to contact the provincial government.
Saskatchewan
Starting March 25th, the government of Saskatchewan is requiring nonessential businesses to shut down. The government has also stopped requirements for doctor’s sick notes to take time off. The ban for gatherings of more than ten people does not apply to workplaces and essential businesses where two-meter distances can be maintained.
Companies that are not on the list of exempt businesses but that feel they should be can call Saskatchewan's Business Response Team at 1-844-800-8688.
Volunteer to Manufacture Critical Supplies
If your industrial business can support the production of essential supplies needed to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, please complete this form to notify us of your availability and willingness to dedicate resources to the ongoing effort. A member of our team will be in touch shortly to connect you with the right contacts to take the next steps in production.