City urges Shoreline residents to take COVID-19 prevention measures seriously

From the City of Shoreline

COVID-19 Update: Case counts continue to rise at unacceptable rates; continue to do your part to help stop the spread

As hard as we have worked to stop the spread of COVID-19, case counts continue to rise at unacceptable rates. Much of the spread continues to be from community transmission. In other words, cases are occurring in people that didn’t have any known contact with infected individuals. Gathering with people who are not within your household increases your chance of contracting the virus.

We are urging Shoreline residents to continue to take prevention measures seriously. Every new infection puts our vulnerable community members at risk and can set back the time to fully reopen our businesses.

Please help keep our community healthy and safe. This virus is as infectious as ever. We are all in this together and we are depending on everyone to do their part.

For more information, go to shorelinewa.gov/covid

To combat the rising numbers, Governor Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman are changing guidance and regulations around restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, as well as weddings and funerals. The changes will also affect family entertainment centers, movie theaters and card rooms.

Weddings and funerals

Under the new guidance, wedding ceremonies and funerals will remain permitted, but receptions are prohibited. Ceremonies and funerals must still adhere to current guidance; for all phases, maximum indoor occupancy is 20%, or up to 30 people, whichever is less, if social distancing can be observed.

The changes will take effect on August 6, providing a grace period for weddings and funerals previously scheduled to take place or readjust their plans.

Restaurants

Restaurant guidance will now require parties to be members of the same household to dine indoors at the same table. Outdoor dining and take-out remains available for small parties from different households.

Restaurants must also close gaming and social areas, such as pool tables, dart boards and video games.

Bars will be closed for indoor service but can continue outdoor service. Alcohol service inside of restaurants must end by 10:00pm.

These regulations take effect on July 30.

Fitness centers

The number of individuals allowed to use fitness centers and other physical health venues at a given time will also be reduced.

For counties in Phase 2, such as King County, only five individuals — not including staff — will be allowed for indoor fitness services at a time. This includes gyms, fitness studios, and indoor pools, ice rinks, volleyball courts, and tennis facilities. These are limited to small group instruction or private training.

The changes are effective July 30.

Entertainment regulations

Indoor family entertainment and recreation centers — like mini golf, bowling alleys, and arcades — are prohibited from opening, as well as indoor card rooms.

Face coverings

Beginning July 25, the face coverings order will expand to include all common spaces, such as elevators, hallways and shared spaces in apartment buildings, university housing and hotels, as well as congregate setting such as nursing homes. Even if you’re alone in these areas, you must wear a mask.

Eviction moratorium extension

Governor Inslee also announced an extension of the state’s eviction moratorium to Oct. 15. Details on the extension will be released in the coming days.

In addition to the moratorium, the extension also directs Governor’s Office staff to convene an informal work group of landlords and tenants to discuss potential changes to the order in the short-term and long-term as the pandemic progresses, including the prospect of rent increases.

To learn more about the Governor’s latest orders, visit coronavirus.wa.gov.