New COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, social gatherings take affect Monday Morniing

THE OUT-TAKE: ~

“This is devastating news, this leads to 100,000 workers out of work right before the holidays. This will lead to more permanent closures and end more dreams. What makes it frustrating is we believe we could have worked together to make good decisions,” said Anthony Anton, WSHA’s President. 

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee announced new statewide restrictions to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, which includes closing indoor service for restaurants and bars and prohibiting indoor social gatherings.

These rules will mostly go into effect on Monday at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect until Dec. 14. Modified restrictions for restaurants will take effect Wednesday, November 18 at 12:01 a.m.

The announcement comes following days of increasing COVID-19 cases.

The impacted industries/areas are:

• The biggest impact will be the closure of indoor dining at restaurants and bars. Outdoor dining and to-go service is permitted. Outdoor dining must follow the outdoor dining restriction. Table size limited to 5 for outdoor dining. These restaurant restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.
• In-store retail limited to 25% indoor occupancy and must close any common/congregate non-food-related seating areas. Food court indoor seating is closed.
• Indoor social gatherings from people outside your household are prohibited and outdoor social gatherings should be limited to 5 people outside your household.
• Fitness facilities and gyms are closed for indoor operations. Outdoor fitness classes may still occur but they are limited by the outdoor gathering restriction listed above.
• Wedding and funerals receptions are prohibited. Ceremonies are limited to no more than 30 people.
• All retail activities and business meetings are prohibited. Only professional training and testing that cannot be performed remotely is allowed. Occupancy in each meeting room is limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
• Movie theaters are closed for indoor service. Drive-in movie theaters are still permitted and must follow the current drive-in movie theater guidance.
• Religious services limited to 25% indoor occupancy no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. No choir, band, or ensemble shall perform during the service.
• Museums/Zoos/Aquariums are closed for indoor service.

During an 11 a.m. press conference Sunday, Inslee announced $50 million for aid to businesses who have been impacted. (READ MORE ON GOV ANNOUNCEMENT | Video Clip)