Effective Nov. 16, 2020: COVID-19 restrictions in place in Washington
Updated guidance from Governor Inslee issued today at an 11am press conference included a new round of restrictions in Washington aimed at knocking down an exponential COVID-19 transmission rate. Public ports will have to be ready to pivot in response to these restrictions starting tomorrow, Monday morning.
The Governor was joined by several state health experts and local government leaders to announce this new round of restrictions. You can watch that press conference on TVW here: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?clientID=9375922947&eventID=2020111099&autoStartStream=true
The Governor’s Office provided WPPA with the details of this proclamation, below, which will be formally published to the Governor’s website by tomorrow. If you have any questions or concerns about these new guidelines, please reach out to WPPA at washington.ports@washingtonports.org or call our main office line at 360-943-0760.
“In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state, and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are taking the very difficult but necessary steps to protect public health.
We recognize this will cause financial hardship for many businesses and the governor and staff are exploring ways to mitigate the impacts.
These rules are effective Monday, Nov. 16th at midnight (12:01 am Tuesday), except for where noted as in the case of restaurants (detailed below).
If the activity is not listed, it should follow its current guidance. All K-12/higher education and childcare is exempt from the new restrictions and will follow current guidance. These restrictions do not apply to courts and court related proceedings.
· Indoor social gatherings with people from outside your household are prohibited.
· Outdoor social gatherings should be limited to 5 people from outside your household.
· Restaurants and bars are closed for indoor service. Outdoor dining and to-go service is permitted. Outdoor dining must follow the outdoor dining restriction. Table size limited to 5 for outdoor dining. These restaurant restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, November 18.
· Fitness facilities and gyms are closed for indoor operations. Outdoor fitness classes may still occur but they are limited by the outdoor gathering restriction listed above. Drop off childcare closed.
· 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 is allowed. Occupancy in each meeting room is limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
· Movie Theaters are closed for indoor service. Drive-in movie theaters are still permitted and must follow the current drive-in movie theater guidance.
· Museums/Zoos/Aquariums are closed for indoor service.
· Real Estate open houses are prohibited.
· Wedding and Funerals receptions are prohibited. Ceremonies are limited to no more than 30 people.
· In-store retail limited to 25% indoor occupancy and must close any common/congregate non-food related seating areas. Food court indoor seating is closed.
· Religious services limited to 25% indoor occupancy no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. No choir, band, or ensemble shall perform during the service. Soloists are permitted to perform. Facial coverings must be worn at all times by congregation members and no congregational singing.
· Professional Services are required to mandate that employees work from home when possible, and to close offices to the public. If they remain open, occupancy is restricted to 25%.
· Personal services are limited to 25% of maximum occupancy.
· Long-term Care Facilities outdoor visits only. Exceptions can be made for essential support person and end-of-life care.
· Youth (school and non-school) and adult sporting activities limited to outdoor only for intrateam practices, masks required for athletes.
A household is defined as the individuals residing in the same domicile.”