Gov. Inslee tightens business restrictions in Washington's phased reopening, citing rising Covid-19 cases

Gov. Jay Inslee has made various amendments to Washington's four-phase reopening plan, including new restrictions on patronizing restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues, and attending weddings and funerals.

New mandates announced on Thursday include an expansion of the statewide face mask requirement to extend to residential complexes and an extension of the state's eviction moratorium.

"The only effective tool against this pandemic is to change some of our practices, and we need to do that," Inslee said during a press conference on Thursday, adding that the rate of transmission for the coronavirus is up around the state.

As of Wednesday, Washington has seen more than 50,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and is climbing toward 1,500 deaths. Inslee also pointed to complications that have persisted for people even after recovering from the virus.

"They report respiratory and other medical conditions that may be chronic, and certainly have given a long, long challenging tail to people's lives who have been infected," he said.

Inslee went on to announce several rollbacks of loosened social distancing restrictions, iterating that "we knew when we began this reopening process, we would have to accept and make changes as the facts dictated."

Mask requirements

Beginning on Saturday, July 25:

• Statewide face covering requirements will extend to shared spaces of residential facilities, such as elevators and hallways.

Restaurants

Beginning on Thursday, July 30:

• Indoor dining parties are limited to members of the same household. People from separate households may still sit together in outdoor dining spaces.
• Restaurants must also close down gaming areas such as pool tables, video games, and darts until Phase 4.
• Party size will be limited to five and indoor occupancy to 50% in Phase 3.
• Alcohol service must end by 10 p.m. at restaurants.
• Bars, regardless of any food service they provide, must not offer indoor service.

Fitness centers

Beginning on Thursday, July 30:

• Occupancy is limited to five individuals, not including staff, in gyms, fitness studios, sports courts, and ice rinks during Phase 2.
• Occupancy in Phase 3 will be limited to 25%. Group fitness classes are limited to 10 or less people, not including the instructor.

Other entertainment venues

Beginning Thursday, July 30:

• Indoor recreation facilities such as bowling alleys, arcades, card rooms and mini golf courses must remain closed until Phase 4.
• Indoor movie theater occupancy is restricted to 25% capacity in Phase 3.

Weddings and funerals

Beginning on Thursday, August 6:

• Ceremonies occurring during each phase must not exceed occupancy of 20% capacity or more than 30 people, whichever is less.
• While ceremonies are permitted, receptions are not.
• Any wedding or funeral ceremonies scheduled to take place prior to August 6 may proceed under previous guidance.

Eviction moratorium

Extended until October 15:

• Includes the convening of an informal work group comprised of landlords and tenants to discuss potential short-term and long-term adjustments, including potential rent increases.

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