Gov. Jay Inslee cancels 11:30 a.m. Thursday press conference on faith-based services

Gov. Jay Inslee cancelled a press conference at 11:30 a.m. Thursday to discuss restarting faith-based services.

The governor’s office needed more time to work out the details of the guidance memo for religious services, said Inslee spokeswoman Tara Lee.

Inslee also had been expected to speak to health care providers about the importance of seeking urgent medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 7, Inslee released rules to allow religious, spiritual and faith-based organizations to conduct drive-in services.

The guidance memo was part of the governor’s first phase in loosening restrictions that have been in place since late March to combat the spread of the new coronavirus. Inslee’s stay-at-home order runs through May 31.

The second phase of the governor’s plan for social and spiritual events is to gather with no more than 5 people outside your household per week. Phase 3 is gatherings with no more than 50 people, and the fourth and final phase is gatherings of more than 50.

This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 7:11 AM.