OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order Monday evening requiring the state’s 7 million residents to further reduce public activity and limit physical contact to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Inslee said his new directive would be in place for at least two weeks.
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The governor delivered a televised address from Olympia on Monday night, outlining “enhanced strategies to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak,” just hours after state health officials confirmed another 225 cases of the new coronavirus and 15 more deaths linked to the illness.
“There are likely thousands more that have not been diagnosed,” Inslee said.
Watch the governor’s full remarks below:
While a ban on large public gatherings and social events has been in place since early March, the state had delayed enacting stricter “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders, such as those in California and New York state. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order Monday morning directing residents to stay at home.
The governor’s new order prohibits gatherings for most purposes and is expected to lead to the closure of more businesses deemed nonessential. Inslee said permitted services include grocery stores, banks, gas stations, doctor’s offices, pharmacies and many agricultural jobs.
“This is a pandemic that threatens to overwhelm our society without decisive action,” Inslee said. “This is a human tragedy on a scale we cannot yet project. It’s time to hunker down in order to win this fight.”
Permitted activities
While all social events — including weddings, funerals and all group social activities — are banned, solo trips outdoors including walks, bike rides and gardening are still permitted, as long as social distancing mandates are followed.
Inslee said retaurants can continue to operate takeout and delivery services.
“We want to get back to normal as soon as possible,” Inslee said. “The fastest way to get back to normal is to hit this hard, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Enforcement plans
The governor said he expected that everyone would comply with his order voluntarily but reiterated that the rules were not optional and failure to follow them could make people liable for legal penalties.
“Make no mistake: This order is enforceable by law,” Inslee said. “To be socially irresponsible in these times is to risk the lives of our loved ones.”
In King County, where officials have recorded the majority of COVID-19 infections and deaths linked to the virus in Washington, the sheriff’s office said all nonessential businesses must close within 48 hours. According to the sheriff’s office, the governor has not asked law enforcement to actively enforce the order, and deputies have been instructed to take an educational approach if violations arise.
“It is our hope that people will simply self-regulate their behavior and stay at home to preserve public health and safety,” the sheriff’s office said. “If you must leave home for essential activities, we continue to ask that you follow public health guidelines and practice good social distancing measures.”
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