Emergency alert: Gov. Inslee signed an emergency…

Gov. Inslee signed an emergency proclamation today banning gatherings over 50 people. Gatherings with fewer than 50 people are prohibited unless strict criteria for hygiene & social distancing are met. Grocery stores & pharmacies will stay open. Restaurants that allow take-out service will continue to operate for now. However, dine-in restaurants, bars, clubs & theaters, indoor recreational venues such as gyms and yoga studios must cease operations. Retail stores are closed unless operating at special capacities and strict criteria for hygiene and social distancing. These rules will be for the next two weeks and it may be extended after that. If you don’t have to do activities, stay home. This will save lives. The governor is also asking residents older than 60 and those with underlying health conditions to self isolate, if they can. This will require behavior change. These are very difficult decisions, but hours count here, and very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the disease. Gov. Inslee knows there will be significant economic impacts to all our communities, and we are looking at steps to help address those challenges

Link to full announcement.