This is an edited version of a letter Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring released Tuesday:

As you are likely aware, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a “Stay at Home” order Monday.

I am asking all residents and businesses in Marysville to please comply with this order and stay at home except for essential and allowed activities. By doing that, we will do our part to help stop the spread of this virus, keep people safe and hopefully hasten a return to some level of normalcy.

I want to assure you that all of the essential services of your city government will continue to operate. In anticipation that this might occur, we spent much time over the past week or so preparing our operational plan. This plan defines all of the “essential personnel” needed to carry out the necessary functions of city government, including clean drinking water, garbage pickup, wastewater management, public safety, road maintenance and more.

Inslee confirmed it is OK to go outside for a walk or bike ride for exercise and fresh air while we continue to practice “social distancing” – staying 6 feet apart from each other.

While speaking of “social distancing,” maybe we should think of it more as “physical distancing.” It is more important now than ever to remain “socially connected,” and I encourage you to use whatever technological means available to socially connect with those who most need your support during this time.

Thank you all for helping to make Marysville the great community that it is.