Gov. Jay Inslee will announce sweeping new restrictions Sunday to curb surging COVID-19 cases, including a ban on both indoor social gatherings and indoor service at restaurants and bars, closures of businesses such as gyms, and sharp occupancy limits for retailers and others, according to industry officials briefed by the governor’s staff.
A spokesperson for the governor would not confirm those reports, but also did not dispute details being circulated by industry associations about the restrictions, which are expected to take effect in the coming days.
Inslee has scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Sunday.
The restrictions had yet to be finalized Saturday, but appeared to confirm the most stringent scenarios that had emerged shortly after Inslee hinted Thursday that new measures were coming.
Set to last for four weeks, the new restrictions would limit retailers, such as grocery and convenience stores, as well as nail salons, to 25% of occupancy, according to those officials. Gyms, bowling alleys, museums, movie theaters and aquariums would be required to close, industry officials said.
Taken together, the rules would represent some of the tightest constraints placed on everyday activities in Washington since Inslee in March issued his original emergency stay-at-home order as the pandemic exploded across the state.
Like many other states, Washington is now tallying far more daily COVID-19 cases than the earlier peaks that hit in spring and summer.
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