As a growing number of states proceed with unprecedented stay-at-home orders, including the closing of nonessential businesses, general counsel are struggling with the definitions as they guide their companies to comply.

Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin this week are the latest of at least 15 states, four cities and one territory that ordered nonessential businesses to close. The other states are California, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhodes Island, plus Puerto Rico; Dallas; Kansas City, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and St. Louis.