Social, economic and cultural life in Washington will slow to a crawl at 11:59 p.m. Monday night, as Gov. Jay Inslee orders broad restrictions and shutdowns in an effort to slow the state’s burgeoning coronavirus epidemic.
The move came just days after Oregon Gov. Kate Brown ordered a “freeze” that affects many businesses and activities. Oregon’s new limits go into effect Wednesday.
Here is a look at how the neighboring states compare.
Inslee has ordered Washington state restaurants and bars to shutdown indoor service and to limit outdoor service to parties of five or fewer. That takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
On Friday, Brown ordered restaurants in Oregon to revert to takeout or delivery only, starting Wednesday.
Indoor gyms and fitness centers must shut down in both states. Same with movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums.
In Washington, indoor gatherings with people outside your household will be prohibited unless participants have quarantined for at least a week and tested negative. Outdoor social gatherings should be limited to no more than five people from outside your household, Inslee said.
In Oregon, social get-togethers (indoors and outdoors) must be limited to no more than six people, total, from no more than two households — that is, yours and one other.
“Today, Sunday, November 15, 2020, is the most dangerous public health day in the last 100 years of our state’s history,” Inslee said in prepared remarks. “A pandemic is raging in our state. Left unchecked, it will assuredly result in grossly overburdened hospitals and morgues; and keep people from obtaining routine but necessary medical treatment for non-COVID conditions.”
Religious services can continue, but in Washington must limit indoor attendance to 25% of capacity, or 200 people, whatever is less. In Oregon, faith-based gatherings are limited to 25 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.
In Washington, retail stores, including grocery stores, and malls must limit occupancy to 25%.
Oregon is more lenient, allowing 75% capacity. Curbside pickup is encouraged.
In both states, employers are required to mandate employees work from home, if possible, and offices must be closed to the public.
Also, both states prohibit indoor visits at long-term care facilities, with limited exceptions for end-of-life care and essential support personnel.
Personal services, such as barber shops and salons, remain open in both states. In Washington, they are limited to 25% capacity. In Oregon, salons have a range of requirements such as taking client temperatures upon arrival and mask wearing.
In Washington, college and professional sports will be allowed to continue, Inslee said, citing the “rigorous protocols” they’ve put in place. Youth and adult sports are limited to outdoor only intrateam practices and athletes must wear masks. The new orders do not apply to Washington public schools, which are mostly operating remotely already.
In Oregon, there is no change to current health and safety protocols for outdoor recreation and sports, youth programs, K-12 schools, K-12 sports currently allowed, current Division 1 and professional athletics exemptions, and higher education — “all of which can continue operating under previous guidance issued by the Oregon Health Authority,” the state said.
The new orders do not apply to child care in either state. Construction and manufacturing businesses can also continue to operate.
Washington’s rules will be in place for at least four weeks, Inslee said.
Oregon’s will run for two weeks, until Dec. 2, except in Multnomah County, where the limits will remain for at least four weeks.
All Washington state orders go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Monday, except for the restrictions on bars and restaurants, which go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
Enforcement will be limited.
“You’re not going to expect state troopers coming to your door if you have a big Thanksgiving dinner,” Inslee said. “We do hope people who want to abide by the law will abide by the law.”
In Oregon, Brown wasn’t so sanguine. Brown indicated Friday that she intends to take a much harder line to enforce her new “freeze” order that limits the size of social gatherings to no more than six people.
The governor warned that violations are misdemeanors punishable by citation or arrest, and Brown said she would work with state police and local law enforcement to encourage Oregonians to comply with her directive.
