Restaurants, bars ordered closed temporarily in Washington state over coronavirus concerns

Gov. Jay Inslee announced that restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities will be shut down statewide to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Given the explosion of COVID-19 in our state and globally, I will sign a statewide emergency proclamation (Monday) to temporarily shut down restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities,” the governor said in a statement released Sunday night.

The directive takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday and “lasts as long as it needs to; no end date set,” an Inslee spokesperson said.

Restaurants will be allowed to provide take-out, drive through and delivery services but no in-person dining will be permitted. The ban will not apply to grocery stores and pharmacies. Other retail outlets will have reduced occupancy. Details were not released on the types of retail businesses that would be affected.

Also, Inslee lowered the statewide ban on public gatherings from 250 people and more, to 50 and more. Events with fewer than 50 people are prohibited unless previously announced criteria for public health and social distancing are met, the governor said.

“These are very difficult decisions, but hours count here and very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the virus. I know there will be significant economic impacts to all our communities and we are looking at steps to help address those challenges,” he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged a nationwide halt to gatherings of 50 people and more for the next eight weeks.

Inslee’s announcement was the latest in a series of emergency actions taken to combat the pandemic through “social distancing” -- keeping people away from others at schools, work or events to help limit transmission of the virus. Last week, in announcing the ban on public events and gatherings of 250 and more, Inslee said he didn’t want to see people shoulder-to-shoulder in bars.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, the state Department of Health said there were 769 confirmed cases of coronavirus in 17 counties and 42 deaths.

The number of King County cases increased to 420 from 387, including two more deaths. There have been 37 deaths in King County, four in Snohomish County and one in Grant County.

Pierce County cases increased to 29 with three additions -- a man in his 70s from northeast Pierce County, a Tacoma woman in her 50s and a Tacoma boy under 10, the county said.

There are three cases in Thurston County.

Inslee said King County, effective Monday, will shut down restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities, as well as prohibit public events and gatherings or 50 people and more. King County is acting a day before the state directive takes effect.

“King County has been the hotbed of this outbreak and has the largest population center in the state. I have spoken to Executive Dow Constantine and I applaud their decision to act quickly,” the governor said in a statement.

Constantine said restaurants, bars, dance halls, clubs, theaters, health and fitness clubs, and other similar indoor social or recreational venues must cease operations until March 31.

Restaurants and food service establishments may remain open only for drive-through, delivery, and pick-up only, he said.

All other retail in King County such as groceries, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, hardware stores, and shopping centers, may remain open provided they follow public health directives to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Constantine said in a statement: “Go to work if you must. But hunker down if you are able. Postpone anything you can. Treat the next two weeks as a period of self-quarantine, to protect yourself and the lives and health of your loved ones and the entire community.”

This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 7:42 PM.