Gov Inslee announces new restrictions as COVID-19 cases spike

OLYMPIA, Wash.- A spike in COVID-19 disease rates across Washington State has prompted Governor Jay Inslee to re-institute restrictions that cover businesses and indoor social gatherings.

"We are in a more dangerous position than we were in March when our first stay-at-home order was issued", Governor Jay Inslee announced Sunday morning. "The time has come to reinstate some of the restrictions on activities statewide to preserve our well-being and to save lives."

These restrictions include:

*Indoor social gatherings prohibited with people from outside your home, unless you quarantine for 14 days…OR for 7 days with a negative COVID test.

*Outdoor social gatherings limited to 5 people from outside your household.

*Restaurants and bars closed for all indoor service, outdoor and to-go orders permitted under current guidelines

*Fitness facilities and gyms closed to indoor services, outdoor permitted for no more than 5 people

*Indoor movies closed, outdoor permitted under current guidelines

*In-store retail 25% capacity, no seating areas

*Religious services allowed at 25% indoor capacity, no singing, mask coverings.

*Professional services closed to public, 25% employee capacity

*Long term care facilities outdoor visits only, except for essential care support person and end-of-life care

*No changes to K-12 education or child care, for now

Gov. Inslee noted that these roll-backs are going to affect people's lives and that he does not make them lightly.

"The COVID pandemic is not just a public health crisis, it is an economic crisis as well", notes Inslee.

These new restrictions are in place midnight Tuesday morning 11/17 and in affect through at least Monday 12/14.