Inslee will speak on TV tonight on ‘enhanced strategies to mitigate COVID-19 outbreak’

NOTE: Watch Gov. Jay Inslee’s speech.

Gov. Jay Inslee has scheduled a televised speech at 5:30 p.m. about the novel coronavirus outbreak, three days after saying he would consider signing a stay-at-home order to ensure that people practice social distancing.

The governor’s office said Inslee would “lay out enhanced strategies to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Television stations and digital news sites around the state are expected to carry the speech. The livestream link to TVW is here.

Inslee’s move comes as several governors have signed proclamations that prohibit workers from reporting to work unless they perform essential services.

On March, 10, Inslee announced that people will not be allowed to visit the resident of a nursing home or assisted living facility unless that visitor is an adult, the resident has not already had a visitor that day and the visit takes place in the resident’s room. He expanded that order on March 13 to include adult family homes.

Inslee on March 11 banned public gatherings and events of 250 people and more in Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties.

The announcement came a day after the governor the number of people infected with the virus in seven or eight weeks in Washington could reach 64,000 with 600 to 1,900 deaths in one week if “we don’t somehow slow down this epidemic.”

On March 12, Inslee ordered K-12 public and private schools in Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties to close from March 17 through April 24.

“Although this virus presents much milder symptoms in children, health professionals have told us that closing schools could create a significant cut in the peak number of ultimate infections. And closing school districts will help slow the transmission of this dangerous virus.

On March 13, Inslee used an executive order to expand the school closures statewide and also expanded the ban on public events and gatherings of 250 people or more to all counties. He ordered higher education institutions to not hold face-to-face classes during the six-week period, although online classes can be held.

Three days later, Inslee announced a statewide closure of restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreational facilities will last two weeks and may be extended.

Restaurants are allowed to provide take-out, drive-thru and delivery services, but no in-person dining is permitted.

This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 11:48 AM.