Statewide Guidelines

"Sunday, November 15, 2020, is the most dangerous public health day in the last 100 years of our state's history"

-Governor Jay Inslee

With the alarming and rapid spread of COVID-19 in Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee has released a new COVID-19 restriction that will take effect Monday, November 16 at 11:59 PM. Washington is seeing record breaking cases of over 2,000 a day. The highest since the pandemic started. In order to slow the spread and to keep hospitals and medical systems from overcrowding, Inslee is taking the very difficult but necessary steps to keep our family and friends safe. The new guidelines are in effect for 4 weeks at minimum in all counties in Washington. Detailed restrictions outlined below.  

·    Indoor Social Gatherings with people from outside your household are prohibited unless they (a) quarantine for fourteen days (14) prior to the social gathering; or (b) quarantine for seven (7) days prior to the social gathering and receive a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 48-hours prior to the gathering. A household is defined as individuals residing in the same domicile.

·    Outdoor Social Gatherings shall be limited to five (5) people from outside your household.

·    Restaurants and Bars are closed for indoor dine-in service. Outdoor dining and to-go service are permitted, provided that all outdoor dining must comply with the requirements of the Outdoor Dining Guidance. Table size for outdoor dining is limited to a maximum of five (5) people. These modified restaurant and bar restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

·    Fitness Facilities and Gyms are closed for indoor operations. Outdoor fitness classes are permitted but are subject to and limited by the outdoor social gathering restriction listed above.

·    Bowling Centers are closed for indoor service.

·    Miscellaneous Venues: All retail activities and business meetings are prohibited. Only professional training and testing that cannot be performed remotely, as well as all court and judicial branch-related proceedings, are allowed. Occupancy in each meeting room is limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits or 100 people, whichever is fewer.Miscellaneous venues include: convention/conference centers, designated meeting spaces in a hotel, events centers, fairgrounds, sporting arenas, nonprofit establishment, or a substantially similar venue.

·    Movie Theaters are closed for indoor service. Drive-in movie theaters are permitted and must continue to follow current drive-in movie theater guidance.

·    Museums/Zoos/Aquariums are closed for indoor service.

·    Real Estate: Open houses are prohibited.

·    Wedding and Funerals: Ceremonies are limited to a total of no more than 30 people. Indoor receptions, wakes, or similar gatherings in conjunction with such ceremonies are prohibited.

·    Store Retail shall be limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits, and common/congregate seating areas and indoor dining facilities such as food courts are closed.

·    Religious Services are limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits, or no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. Congregation members/attendees must wear facial coverings at all times and congregation singing is prohibited. No choir, band, or ensemble shall perform during the service. Vocal or instrumental soloists are permitted to perform, and vocal soloists may have a single accompanist. Outdoor services must follow the Outdoor Dining Guidance, found here, applicable to the structure or facility.

·    Professional Services are required to mandate that employees work from home when possible and close offices to the public if possible. Any office that must remain open must limit occupancy to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits.

·    Personal Services are limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits.Personal service providers include: cosmetologists, cosmetology testing, hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, master estheticians, manicurists, nail salon workers, electrologists, permanent makeup artists, tanning salons, and tattoo artists.

·    Long-term Care Facilities: Outdoor visits are permitted. Indoor visits are prohibited, but individual exceptions for an essential support person or end-of-life care are permitted. These restrictions are also extended to the facilities in Proclamation 20-74, et seq. All other provisions of Proclamations 20-66, et seq., and 20-74, et seq., including all preliminary criteria to allow any visitors, remain in effect.

·    Youth and Adult Sporting Activities: Indoor activities and all contests and games are prohibited. Outdoor activities shall be limited to intra-team practices only, with facial coverings required for all coaches, volunteers and athletes at all times.

Gov. Inslee is also recommending a 14 day self-quarantine for those who are traveling from out of state or country. During Inslee’s news conference he mentioned that one of the most dangerous places is in our own home. Urging Washingtonians to keep all guest visits outdoors.

To alleviate financial impacts that businesses and employees will face, the state is committing a $50 million aid. $20 million dedicated for cash assistance targeted directly to the hardest hit industries. Remaining funds will be focused on supporting businesses through loans.