Inslee Extends Coronavirus Restrictions To Mid-January

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington has extended its latest round of coronavirus restrictions a second time.

This newest extension is not as dramatic as the first, maintaining the restrictions an additional week and setting them to expire on Jan 11. Previously, they had been set to expire on Jan.4.

In mid-November, amid the largest-ever surge in new COVID-19 infections, Gov. Jay Inslee announced several emergency pandemic restrictions, banning indoor dining, limiting capacity at retailers and grocery stores, and shuttering some businesses like gyms and museums, among other changes. At the time, the extensions had been set to expire Dec. 14, but continued high case counts and transmission rates pushed state leaders to extend the restrictions into 2021, and now even further into the new year.

In the weeks since that first extension, Washington has made progress to contain the COVID-19 surge, but state leadership says it still is not safe enough to lift the winter restrictions.

"Our consistent mission has been keeping Washingtonians safe and ensuring health care system and hospital capacity," Gov. Jay Inslee said. "We understand the profound impact COVID is having on our healthcare system, families and businesses, but I am heartened by the number of Washingtonians who continue to do the right thing. If we continue distancing from others, wearing facial coverings and avoiding social gatherings, we will make it to the other side of this pandemic together.”

The Governor's Office says they are working on a plan to help businesses reopen when the restrictions are fully lifted. They expect to release that plan to the public sometime next week.

In total, the restrictions that have been extended to Jan. 11 include:

• Indoor social gatherings with people from outside your household are prohibited unless a 14-day quarantine is completed before the event (or a weeklong quarantine with a negative test result received within 48 hours).
• Outdoor social gatherings should be limited to five people from outside your household.
• Restaurants and bars are closed for indoor service. Outdoor dining and to-go service are permitted. Outdoor dining must follow the outdoor dining restriction. Table size is limited to five for outdoor dining. These restaurant restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
• 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 child care 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 percent 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 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 (including grocery stores) is limited to 25 percent indoor occupancy and must close any common/congregate non-food-related seating areas. Food court indoor seating is closed.
• Religious services are limited to 25 percent indoor occupancy or 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, with 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 percent.
• Personal services are limited to 25 percent of maximum occupancy.
• Long-term care facilities are limited to 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 are limited to outdoor only for intrateam practices, masks required for athletes.