Local Leaders React To The 16 Rollbacks Announced By Governor Inslee

November 15, 2020

Everett

The Governor announced 16 different restrictions.

Today Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced rollbacks and restoration of restrictions on a multitude of businesses. We have outlined the list of restrictions below that will take effect beginning Monday night at midnight. Here is what the Mayor of Everett, Snohomish County Executive and head of the Snohomish Health District has to say.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor, City of Everett

“With COVID-19 cases on the rise, affecting more and more of our neighbors, friends and family, it’s clear that we need to do more to slow the spread of this public health threat. Bold actions that align with the recommendations of public health experts must be taken. We support the Governor’s difficult decision and know it will help in our effort to save lives. I am very worried for our small businesses and our residents who will be affected by these necessary actions as they will intensify the toll COVID-19 is already having on our economy and in our way of life. I will fight and advocate for federal funding to support our economies as we work together to combat this pandemic. My team at the City of Everett will prioritize finding ways to support our local economy and work with business owners to find innovative solutions.”

Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive

“With COVID-19 cases rapidly rising, action must be taken to save lives and the capacity of our health care system. Our state has reached a tipping point where doing nothing is not an option. Clearly, the status quo is not working. We support the Governor’s decisive action to save lives. We will do all we can in Snohomish County to protect our most vulnerable residents, preserve our medical capacity, and keep our small businesses functioning. I am very worried about impacts to our local economy, particularly after the rough year we’ve had. I will continue to be a strong advocate for more federal funding to help us through this wave of the pandemic. We are all beyond frustrated with the need for these measures, but they are necessary to push the curve back down. We’ve done it before and can do it again.”

Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer, Snohomish Health District

“I regret the restrictions being necessary, but we need to put on the brakes now to keep from overwhelming the already stressed health care system. These aren’t across the board shutdowns, but rather a strategic freeze within those sectors and situations that are linked to this recent surge in cases. We need everyone to join in and respect the restrictions to turn this around.”

Here are the 16 restrictions announced by Governor Jay Inslee Sunday morning.

In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are taking the very difficult but necessary steps to protect public health.
We recognize this will cause financial hardship for many businesses and the governor and staff are exploring ways to mitigate the impacts.

• From midnight on Monday, November 16 through Monday, December 14, all counties in Washington rollback to the restrictions outlined below.

Restriction modifications for all counties effective midnight on Monday, November 16, unless otherwise noted. If the activity is not listed, it should follow its current guidance. All K12/higher education, health care, and childcare are exempt from the new restrictions and will follow current guidance. These restrictions do not apply to courts and judicial branch-related proceedings.

1. Indoor Social Gatherings with people from outside your household are prohibited unless they (a) quarantine for fourteen days (14) prior to the social gathering; or (b) quarantine for seven (7) days prior to the social gathering and receive a negative COVID19 test result no more than 48-hours prior to the gathering. A household is defined as individuals residing in the same domicile.

2. Outdoor Social Gatherings shall be limited to five (5) people from outside your household.

3. Restaurants and Bars are closed for indoor dine-in service. Outdoor dining and to-go service are permitted, provided that all outdoor dining must comply with the requirements of the Outdoor Dining Guidance. Table size for outdoor dining is limited to a maximum of five (5) people. These modified restaurant and bar restrictions go into
effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

4. Fitness Facilities and Gyms are closed for indoor operations. Outdoor fitness classes are permitted but are subject to and limited by the outdoor social gathering restriction listed above.

5. Bowling Centers are closed for indoor service.

6. Miscellaneous Venues: All retail activities and business meetings are prohibited. Only professional training and testing that cannot be performed remotely, as well as all court and judicial branch-related proceedings, are allowed. Occupancy in each meeting room is limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
▪ Miscellaneous venues include: convention/conference centers, designated meeting spaces in a hotel, events centers, fairgrounds, sporting arenas, nonprofit establishment, or a substantially similar venue.

7. Movie Theaters are closed for indoor service. Drive-in movie theaters are permitted and must continue to follow current drive-in movie theater guidance.

8. Museums/Zoos/Aquariums are closed for indoor service.

9. Real Estate: Open houses are prohibited.

10. Wedding and Funerals: Ceremonies are limited to a total of no more than 30 people. Indoor receptions, wakes, or similar gatherings in conjunction with such ceremonies are prohibited.

11. In-Store Retail shall be limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits, and common/congregate seating areas and indoor dining facilities such as food courts are closed.

12. Religious Services are limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits, or no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. Congregation members/attendees must wear facial coverings at all times and congregation singing is prohibited. No choir, band, or ensemble shall perform during the service. Vocal or instrumental soloists are permitted to perform, and vocal soloists may have a single accompanist. Outdoor services must follow the Outdoor Dining Guidance, found here, applicable to the structure or facility.

13. Professional Services are required to mandate that employees work from home when possible and close offices to the public if possible. Any office that must remain open must limit occupancy to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits.

14. Personal Services are limited to 25 percent of indoor occupancy limits.
▪ Personal service providers include: cosmetologists, cosmetology testing, hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, master estheticians, manicurists, nail salon workers, electrologists, permanent makeup artists, tanning salons, and tattoo artists.

15. Long-term Care Facilities: Outdoor visits are permitted. Indoor visits are prohibited, but individual exceptions for an essential support person or end-of-life care are permitted. These restrictions are also extended to the facilities in Proclamation 20-74, et seq. All other provisions of Proclamations 20-66, et seq., and 20-74, et seq., including all preliminary criteria to allow any visitors, remain in effect.

16. Youth and Adult Sporting Activities: Indoor activities and all contests and games are prohibited. Outdoor activities shall be limited to intra-team practices only, with facial coverings required for all coaches, volunteers and athletes at all times.



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My Everett News is a hyperlocal news website featuring news and events in Everett, Washington. We also cover City of Everett information and items of interest to those who live, work, and play in Everett.

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