New Restrictions From Governor Inslee

Posted July 24, 2020 at 9:12 am by

Governor Jay Inslee

On July 23, Governor Inslee issued new requirements for all of Washington State in response to increasing infections. In addition, Washington Secretary of Health Wiesman added additional requirements to the existing face covering order.

Below is some preliminary information on what the new requirements mean for San Juan County. This summary is based on initial information shared by the State, and may change as more clarity and information becomes available.

San Juan County is currently in Phase 2. The existing Four Phase plan guidance is here, but will be modified after these new restrictions.

RESTAURANTS (goes into effect on July 30)

  • Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) service must end at 10:00 p.m. until Phase 4.
  • Prohibition of vending game areas (pool tables, darts, video games, etc.) until Phase 4.
  • Indoor dining seating at an individual table is limited to members of the same household until Phase 4.

As per existing guidance, restaurants may operate at no more than 50% capacity in Phase 2. Outdoor seating does not count towards the 50% occupancy limit, though outdoor seating must follow all other requirements in guidance, including the table size limit of 5 customers.

FITNESS GUIDANCE (goes into effect on July 30)

  • In Phase 2, only five individuals — not including staff — will be allowed for indoor fitness services at a time. This includes gyms, fitness studios, and indoor pools, ice rinks, volleyball courts, and tennis facilities. These are limited to small group instruction or private training.

WEDDINGS and FUNERALS (goes into effect on August 6)

  • Applies to both secular and non-secular events.
  • During all phases, the maximum indoor occupancy is 20% capacity or up to 30 people, whichever is less, so long as six feet of physical distancing can be achieved between households.
  • Only ceremonies are permitted. Receptions are prohibited. Cermonies must follow all other parts of the faith based guidance.

FACE COVERINGS (goes into effect on July 25)

  • The statewide order requiring the use of face coverings will be expanded to include any shared spaces. This includes places like elevators, hallways and shared spaces in apartment and condominium buildings, university housing, hotels and motels, and in congregate settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family homes.

More details on the Governor’s website.

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3 comments...

  1. For me as a Christian, it’s getting harder and harder to pray for this governor, there’s no end to the economic damage he’s doing to this once thriving state. There’s more cases because there’s more testing, death rates are going down. Please reduce restrictions not increase them and give small businesses a chance to recover.

    Comment by Corky Culver on July 25, 2020 at 7:46 am
  2. Governor Inslee is doing his job very well. I am very grateful for his intelligence. It is shocking how many people just can’t grasp the whole concept of a mask and social distancing. I understand there is a lot of mixed messages out there. If everyone would follow governor Inslee’s guidelines and be mature about it, we as a state will get through this sooner than later. It is shocking to see governors that just don’t understand. Maybe they are trying to be politically loyal to the president instead of the people they should be protecting.

    Comment by Darlene wilder on July 25, 2020 at 10:36 am
  3. There are more cases because the virus is spreading, killings tens of thousands. It has nothing to do with testing. Test no one and people still die. The “official stats” are clearly flawed as many have given up on testing. FL has a 14 day turn around via Quest. This atheist is thankful for Gov. Inslee’s leadership during a troubling time.

    Comment by Robert Demarest on July 25, 2020 at 10:39 pm

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