Leaked memos reveals why office supplies stores like Staples and Office Depot say they are 'essential' businesses and staying open amid coronavirus shutdowns

• Business Insider viewed letters given to Staples and Office Depot employees, which are intended to prove that they work for an "essential" business.
• Both letters were written on each company's respective letterhead. Each letter explained the companies' designation as "essential" by referring to the cleaning and work-from-home-enabling products sold in both stores.
• The letters also said that each company supports hospitals and healthcare providers.
• 23 states have already imposed restrictions on businesses' operations, under which nonessential businesses have been ordered to close.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Many businesses are temporarily shuttering amid the coronavirus outbreak. But some retail workers, including those who work in office supplies stores, are still generally expected to come into work.

US governors are issuing "stay at home" orders to curb the spread of the virus. The list of states that have announced such orders includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Like other employees of essential businesses, Staples and Home Depot employees are wielding official letters to show that they are authorized to work in areas that are otherwise shut down. Business Insider viewed letters given to employees of both Staples and Office Depot, which are intended to prove that they work for an "essential" business.

Both letters were written on each company's respective letterhead. Each letter explained the company's designation as "essential" by referring to the cleaning and work-from-home-enabling products sold in both stores. Both the Staples and Office Depot letters said that each company supports hospitals and healthcare providers as clients.

"Staples is an essential retailer enabling the community to work and teach from home," reads the letter given to employees in a California Staples store, which was viewed by Business Insider. "Staples sells a variety of durable goods, bottled water, cleaning and sanitation products."

The letter also noted that the company sells to healthcare facilities and COVID-19 test centers. There was no date on this letter.

In a letter dated March 21, 2020 available in the Office Depot employee hub and viewed by Business Insider, Office Depot outlined how the company "provides necessary products and services to essential business, critical infrastructure industries, and other customers," which makes the company essential.

The Office Depot letter added that the company is providing mailing and shipping services, which are essential to supporting other businesses that require these services.

Staples did not return Business Insider's request for comment. A representative for Office Depot pointed to its COVID-19 response page when reached for comment by Business Insider.

If you're an office supplies store employee working during the pandemic, reach out to sciment@businessinsider.com with your story.