Businesses navigate definition of ‘essential’

Since Gov. Steve Bullock announced a statewide stay-at-home order last week, Montanans have been wondering which businesses are open, which are partially open and which are shuttered until April 10 – at the earliest.

Individual Montanans are being told to go out only if absolutely necessary. As the Governor’s Office states in its March 26 directive, “it is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the State of Montana during the ongoing state of emergency that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals stay at home or at their place of residence.”

But staying at home is not an option for many Montanans are still working for businesses deemed “essential” in the governor’s directive.

B.J. Lupton, owner of Snappy Sport Senter in Evergreen, said it was not a difficult choice to remain open. The store falls under multiple categories of what makes an essential business, as it sells products including firearms and ammunition, food and first aid.

“I have an obligation to my staff” to stay open, Lupton said. “The last thing I want to do is hurt my people and send them home.”

Snappy’s is also one of few places in the Flathead where people can purchase fish and game licenses in-person. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices are closed to the public.

Lupton added the store was being “extremely careful” in following Centers for Disease Control recommendations, frequently sanitizing all surfaces and following social-distancing guidelines. “We’re using hand sanitizer by the gallon,” he said.

But another local sporting-goods institution, Sportsman & Ski Haus, decided to close its Kalispell and Whitefish stores as early as March 22.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to temporarily close our stores. The last couple of weeks have been challenging as we make decisions that impact the health of our employees and their families,” reads a March 22 post on the Sportsman Facebook page.

For some businesses, there is no question as to whether they should remain open. Grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations, pharmacies and auto-repair shops are all classified as “Essential Businesses and Operations” under the governor’s directive.

Some of these essential businesses have reduced hours or limited some services. Walgreens, for example, is now open from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. instead of its usual 24 hours. And while banks are also considered essential, most local banks have closed their lobbies, instead offering drive-thru and online service.

The stay-at-home directive did not greatly change how many restaurants were already trying to stay in business – takeout and curbside ordering and pick-up – when they were forced to shut down on March 21.

But one category under the directive created a gray area: “supplies to work from home.” This category is classified as “businesses that sell, manufacture or supply products needed for people to work from home.”

The Kalispell Hobby Lobby – part of a national chain that sells arts and crafts materials – remains open. The company’s stance is that it sells these “supplies to work from home.” A Hobby Lobby associate said the store does have social-distancing measures in place.

However, as of Tuesday afternoon, many Hobby Lobby stores across the nation were closing their doors and laying off employees after facing widespread criticism. One store in Wisconsin was shut down by police on Monday as it violated that state’s “safer-at-home” order.

The crafts store Michaels is also staying open; the company has stated it believes its products and services make it an essential business. According to a March 26 report by Business Insider, a memo from the outgoing and incoming chief executive officers declared its stores are “fundamental” to business owners, teachers and communities and that the store is “here for the makers.”

A Kalispell Michaels manager said only 10 customers were allowed in the store at a time and the store was enforcing social distancing, but the manager was not allowed to say how they were enforcing the rule. Multiple calls to Michaels national public relations department were not returned.

JOANN Fabric and Crafts in Kalispell said in a recorded message it is “following our local government and health officials” and decided to close the store, but they are offering curbside pick-up for online orders.

“Critical trades” are also classified as essential in the governor’s directive. This includes plumbers, electricians, “building and construction tradesmen and tradeswomen,” cleaning and janitorial staff, security staff, painters, moving and relocation services and “other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation” of essential residences and businesses.

Debbi Waldenberg, owner of Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical, said it was still business as usual, or at least “as much as you can expect in the circumstances.”

Waldenberg said her plumbing department is “pretty darn busy,” but stressed her business has to take the same precautions as everyone else. She said her employees will not go into the house of anyone who has shown symptoms of COVID-19.

“First and foremost, I’ve got to keep my team safe,” Waldenberg said.

Under the directive, all businesses are required to follow social-distancing requirements. This includes designating six-foot distances within the facility with signage and tape, having hand sanitizer and sanitizing products available for employees and customers and instituting separate hours for the vulnerable and elderly.

The directive also instructs businesses to do the ”minimum necessary activities” to keep the business functioning. This includes helping employees work remotely from their residences, if possible.

Reporter Colin Gaiser may be reached at cgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.