WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (March 26, 2020) – The City of West Palm Beach stands with the business community and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the newest executive order issued by Palm Beach County, all non-critical retail and commercial businesses have been ordered to close except for “minimum basic operations” effective Thursday, March 26th, 2020 at 5pm. It is important to note that this mandate does not affect the City of West Palm Beach’s public works and services departments. Crews will continue to perform maintenance work in City parks and public spaces, therefore community members must keep following social distancing instructions if interaction with these City employees is necessary.
These operations include:
- Maintaining your inventory
- Preservation of plant and equipment condition
- Processing orders and shipping online
- Ensuring security of the premises
- Processing payroll and employee benefits
- Facilitating remote work for employees who can do so
The following is a partial list of retail and commercial businesses that have been deemed as critical. (For a full list, please reference the official Palm Beach County executive order.) These types of establishments may remain open, but must comply with guidelines from the CDC and state department of health regarding social distancing:
- Architecture and engineering services
- Banks
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Hardware stores
- Hair and nail salons
- Hotels (subject to Governor DeSantis’ order 20-70)
- Landscape and pool care
- Laundromats
- Media outlets
- Open construction sites
- Restaurants (pickup and delivery services only)
While this mandate has been issued by Palm Beach County leaders, decisions to take more preventative measures may be made by business owners at this time.
The City is committed to working with our business community and consumers and has compiled a list of financial aid resources, information on disaster loans, a list of businesses and restaurants that are offering takeout or delivery services and more. This information can be found at www.wpb.org. Businesses who would like more information on relief options or how to be included in West Palm Eats, a marketing campaign to promote local restaurants, can email EcoDev@wpb.org
