On Monday, March 23, Gov. Jay Inslee spoke directly to Washingtonians to announce a statewide order that requires everyone in the state to stay home. This prohibition remains in effect until midnight on Monday, April 6, unless extended beyond that date.

This Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is similar to orders that other governors, in places such as California and New York, issued last week.

This proclamation:

• Requires every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity.
• Bans all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes.
• Closes all businesses except essential businesses.

“The less time we spend in public, the more lives we will save,” Inslee said. 

The proclamation states it’s still safe for people to go outside as long as they remain at least six feet from each other. Grocery stores, doctor’s offices and other essential businesses will remain open. People can still participate in activities such as bike rides, gardening, and dog walking — as long as they follow social distancing rules.

Read the rest of the order on the governor's Medium page. For more information on what's opened and what's closed, visit the Washington State Coronavirus Response webpage at: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed. 

Most City employees have been deemed essential critical infrastructure workers in accordance with Governor Inslee’s March 23 Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order.

Some City operations have been adjusted including the immediate closure of all park restrooms and the securing of sports courts. Parks and trails will remain open as the Governor’s order permits walking and biking as long as social distancing guidelines of least six feet are followed.

Police and fire will continue to respond to calls for emergencies. Public Works maintenance crews that are responsible for roads, water, sewer and stormwater will also continue to maintain this essential infrastructure. Parks maintenance crews will continue to keep a basic level of maintenance to protect our over $300 million investment in parks. Construction and development activities have been deemed by the Governor to be essential services, so inspections will continue and the public will see City vehicles on the road.

Many City employees are already working from home. Over the next few days, all remaining employees who can work from home will receive the technology necessary to do so.

All City staff that are not working from home will be practicing social distancing and other public health guidelines for all.

Law enforcement's primary role in response to the Governor’s order is to help educate people about how to comply with orders to stay at home. The Kirkland Police Department will not be detaining, arresting, ticketing or establishing checkpoints for compliance. No strict law enforcement or "martial law" has been ordered.

“We encourage all residents to abide by the Governor’s order to protect the lives of all of our community members,” said City Manager Kurt Triplett. “We want to assure all Kirkland residents and businesses that Kirkland employees are complying with the Governor’s ‘Stay Home’ order. We have reviewed the detailed list of essential critical infrastructure workers provided by the Governor’s office. Any Kirkland employee you see out in the community is providing an essential critical service as defined by Governor Inslee’s order, and is working to keep our community safe and healthy.”

When officers and deputies encounter people not complying with an order, officers will remind them, as appropriate, of the recommendation and restrictions. Residents should not call 911 to report violations of the order as phone lines must be kept clear for emergencies. Violations of the Governor’s order can be reported to King County Public Health at 206-477-3977.

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effective immediately, to support restaurants and other businesses providing essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kirkland City Manager has ordered the suspension of enforcement of the temporary Sign Code.  

Code Enforcement Officers will not enforce the use of temporary signs such as “A-frames” displayed by essential businesses for the term of the current COVID 19 emergency proclamation.

For purposes of this order, the following current rules shall be maintained:

• Temporary signs must be 6 square feet per sign’s face or less and be easily removable (e.g. A-frame signs)

Temporary signs shall not:

• Be located in travel lanes
• Block sight distance at intersections
• Block pedestrian movement on sidewalks

The purpose of this order is for essential businesses to more effectively communicate with their customers their location, available services and how to get take-out and grab-and-go orders.

The City wants to avoid excessive sign clutter that could result in less effective messaging. If temporary sign rules are not followed, or if too many temporary signs are placed in business districts, Code Enforcement reserves the right to work with businesses to collaboratively reduce the size and number of temporary signs.

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

To help support those in the community most vulnerable to COVID-19, many Kirkland grocery stores have implemented designated shopping hours for seniors. The list below is based on information received as of Tuesday, March 24, and is subject to change. We strongly encourage shoppers to confirm these hours with their store of choice before they make the trip.

Kirkland Grocers Offering Senior Hours:

Costco: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 to 9 a.m.
8629 120th Ave. N.E. 425-827-1693 

Totem Lake Fred Meyer: Monday through Thursday 7 to 8 a.m. *Also for customers with compromised immune systems
12221 120th Ave. N.E. 425-820-3200

Rose Hill Safeway: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 to 9 a.m., Pharmacy: 7 to 8 a.m.
12519 N.E. 85th St. 425-822-8821

Kingsgate Safeway: 7 to 9 a.m.
14444 124th Ave. N.E. 425-821-2112

Juanita Safeway: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7 to 9 a.m.
10020 N.E. 137th St. 425-821-9224

Kirkland Urban QFC: 7 to 8 a.m.
457 Central Way 425-827-2205

Metropolitan Market: 7 to 8 a.m. 
10611 N.E. 68th St. 425-454-0085

Whole Foods: 8 to 9 a.m.
12501 120th Ave. N.E. 425-979-3301

Trader Joe’s: 9 to 10 a.m.  
12520 Totem Lake Blvd. N.E. Ste. 116 425-814-9181

PCC Community Markets: 7 to 8 a.m.
10718 N.E. 68th St. 425-828-4622

For a complete list of grocery stores in Kirkland, please visit the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce Website.

Waste Management has temporarily suspended residential curbside bulky waste collection, which includes the collection of large items like televisions, couches, mattresses and other cumbersome objects. Bulky waste collection requires two workers in a vehicle to pick-up, carry and load these heavy items, which is not in alignment with social distancing guidelines. Other curbside services offered that only require one worker, such as electronics, textiles, and motor oil collection, are not affected and will continue to be offered as normal. For the latest information from Waste Management, please visit the Kirkland Service Alerts webpage.