Is Landscaping Considered an Essential Business?

As the concerns surrounding COVID-19 continue to grow, as does the confusion on what is considered an “essential” business during this time.  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz extended the Stay at Home Order on April 8th, 2020 and in this new Executive Order, Governor Walz expanded on what businesses are now deemed “essential.”

Executive Order 20-33 states that the following industries are included under the food and agriculture category in being essential:

1. “Workers supporting agricultural equipment repair service.
2. Lawncare and landscaping workers.
3. Workers supporting garden centers, stores, and nurseries, provided that such centers, stores, or nurseries adhere to guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
4. Workers supporting florists for the sale for delivery only of perishable plant stock. Workers delivering perishable plant stock are strongly encouraged to drop off product at the front door of nursing homes and hospitals to avoid contact with vulnerable populations.
5. This category does not include the following workers, who are not exempted from the restrictions in paragraph 1:
   1. Workers supporting tobacco and vaping-product shops.
   2. Workers supporting cannabidiol (CBD) oil shops.”

When determining which businesses are essential, Minnesota is following the guidance as noted in the Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response provided by the Department of Homeland Security.  

The memorandum states:

“Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC Technicians, landscapers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings such as hospitals, senior living facilities, any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response.”

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) released a statement regarding COVID-19, stating that the landscaping industry is a $98 billion-dollar industry and employs more than a million people.

The NALP also stated:

 “Landscape work, in most cases, is performed outdoors in small teams, or individually, with limited public contact, posing a lower risk of spreading COVID-19. The landscape industry stands with our public officials to stop the transmission of COVID-19.

Landscape and lawn care companies play an important role in keeping healthy people employed and supporting the economy. The public health situation will continue to change over time, and company leaders will make their own decisions about how best to operate based on their individual circumstances.”

Although there are many unknowns during this time, the landscaping industry as a whole, as well as Magnolia Landscaping and Design Co., are determined to do their part during these trying times.

If you have any questions on our current services or precautions we’re taking, please reach out and we’d be happy to help!