Gov. Inslee announces new restrictions for bars, restaurants, more as virus continues to surge
Gov. Inslee on Thursday announced new restrictions for restaurants, bars, fitness centers and weddings and funerals as COVID-19 continues to surge in Washington and beyond.
The new restrictions, set to take effect in a week (except wedding and funeral restrictions), further limit the possibility of interaction between members of different households to limit potential exposure to infected individuals. The restrictions include:
- Indoor dining at restaurants is limited to members of the same household. Members of different households can sit together outside.
- Restaurants must close gaming areas, such as pool tables, darts, video games, until Phase 4. Tables size in Phase 3 will be reduced to 5 and occupancy limited to 50%.
- Restaurant alcohol service must end at 10 p.m.
- Bars will be closed for indoor service. This includes taverns, breweries, wineries and distilleries, regardless of whether they provide food.
- Wedding and funeral ceremonies are limited to 20% indoor occupancy or 30 people, whichever is less.
- Wedding and funeral receptions are prohibited. Weddings and funerals will be given a two-week grace period for those already planned.
- Fitness centers in Phase 2 can only allow 5 people for indoor fitness services at a time. This includes gyms, studios, indoor pools, ice rinks, volleyball courts and tennis facilities. Occupancy in Phase 3 will be reduced to 25%, with group classes limited to no more than 10, not including the instructor.
Additionally, Inslee said the eviction moratorium would be extended but details were not immediately released. Business owners with questions about how the new restrictions might apply to them can contact the state to get more information here: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/how-you-can-help/covid-19-business-and-worker-inquiries.
The state also expanded its mask mandate to include common areas, such as elevators, hallways, lobbies and similar areas.
I'll include more information in tomorrow's e-newsletter. Please see The Seattle Times' coverage of the Governor's press conference here.
|
