— from Governor Jay Inslee’s Office —
Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman today announced changes to “Safe Start,” Washington’s phased approach to reopening. The changes target activities that data have shown provide a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure.
It has been four months since the governor announced the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. Since then, cases in Washington have risen from 2,000 to almost 50,000, and deaths have increased from 110 to nearly 1,500.
To combat the rising numbers, the governor and secretary are changing guidance and regulations around restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, as well as weddings and funerals. The changes will also affect family entertainment centers, movie theaters and card rooms.
“We do not take these steps lightly. We know every prohibition is a challenge for individuals and business owners,” Inslee said during a press conference Thursday. “But we know that if we fail to act, we expose people and businesses to even greater risk down the line.”
Read the rest of the story on the governor’s Medium page.
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While I appreciate Governor Inslee’s tightening of restrictions, given the rising Covid-19 cases statewide, I don’t believe they go far enough. How do you require restaurant customers, for example, to be all the members of one family at a single table? It makes little sense, and I would not expect the restaurant owners to try to enforce this rule.
Better to close them all to indoor dining, as California and New York City have done, and instead promote take-out service and outdoor dining. Many Eastsound eateries have extensive outdoor dining facilities, which could be extended by closing off streets to parking and converting that space to outdoor tables for the rest of the balmy summer. Think of what a lively scene this could be!
What a Fabulous Idea Michael!!
Outdoor dining and another ban on tourists, Please!!!