Additional COVID Restrictions on Businesses

On Sunday, amid multi-day record breaking positive infection rates, the Governor announced additional restrictions on business activities.  

These additional restrictions take effect at 11:59 PM on Monday, November 16 and extend through December 14, 2020. Even though the increase in COVID-19 cases is largely the result of private social gatherings, the restrictions announced yesterday address businesses, dealing another significant setback to those struggling to survive challenges the past nine months.

This provides a great opportunity to remind residents of the Governor’s restrictions and urge caution to your residents in scheduling and attending private social gatherings.

Restaurants, retail stores, fitness facilities, movie theaters, and real estate are among the industries that will be especially affected. If a restriction is not identified in the Proclamation, the activity can continue to be performed.  For real estate activities, housing providers should follow the Phase 2/Phase 3 Real Estate Guidance.

The restrictions announced Sunday include: 

• No indoor gatherings with people outside your household (except for specialized childcare)
• Outdoor gatherings limited to 5 outside your household
• No indoor service in restaurants and bars. To-go service and outdoor dining is permitted (table-size limited to 5)
• No indoor fitness facilities; pools and spas can remain open
• No indoor bowling, event venues, movie theaters, museums, zoos, aquariums
• No real estate open houses
• No wedding or funeral receptions. Ceremonies are permitted but limited to 30 people
• In-store retail limited to 25% indoor occupancy. No seating areas or food courts.
• Religious services limited to 25% indoor occupancy and no more than 200 people. No choir performances, but soloists okay. Masks required
• Professional services must work from home when possible, offices are restricted to 25% occupancy and closed to public.
• Personal services are limited to 25% max occupancy.
• Long-term care facilities are limited to outdoor visits only, except end-of-life care.
• Youth and adult amateur sports limited to outdoor only for intra-team practices, masks required.

You can find additional information from the Governor’s office here.  

We understand Governor Inslee is considering an update to the statewide face covering requirements.  Currently, unless you have an exemption, you are required to wear a face covering in indoor public settings, including:

• Inside any building, including any business open to the public
• In healthcare settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank
• While in line to enter one of the above, or while waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle
• In outdoor public settings, including public parks, trails, streets, and recreation areas, when six feet of physical distancing cannot be maintained between individuals who do not share a household