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Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of 26 proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional economic supports for workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee also announced a three-week extension of the state’s current restrictions which will now be in place until Jan. 4, 2021.

Given the high rates of COVID-19 in Washington and around the country, our winter holiday celebrations need to look different than in years past. Many of the ways we traditionally celebrate the holidays include contact with non-household members in large group settings.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) today announced that in just four days, more than 1,000,000 users activated WA Notify, a simple, anonymous exposure notification tool that uses smartphones to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Hoy el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington (DOH) anunció que, en solo cuatro días, más de 1,000,000 de usuarios activaron WA Notify, una herramienta simple y anónima para notificar la exposición que usa los teléfonos inteligentes para ayudar a detener la propagación de la COVID-19.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts.

Small businesses struggling to survive the impact of COVID-19 can apply now for up to $20,000 in a new round of $50 million in state Working Washington grants. Priority is focused on businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019 and those most impacted by the recent public health measures, as well as businesses in sectors that have experienced significant, cumulative impacts. Examples include full-service restaurants, fitness centers, bowling alleys and music and event venues.

The update clarifies that religious and faith-based organizations can hold outdoor services with up to 200 individuals, regardless of location, so long as physical distancing is followed and face coverings are worn. This modification expands where outdoor services can be held, services are no longer limited to the organization’s property or an immediately adjacent property.

The Department of Social and Health Services is using $1.3 million in CARES Act funding to contract with temporary nursing agencies to provide six Rapid Response Crisis Staffing teams that will be deployed to long-term care facilities facing staffing shortages during the pandemic. More than 400 of the state’s roughly 4,100 facilities are currently reporting active cases among residents or staff.

The Washington State Department of Health is adopting  the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to reduce quarantine for people who have been exposed to COVID-19.

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation today waiving the signature requirement for students enrolling in the College Bound scholarship.

COVID-19 Response Update Media Briefing with state and Health officials.

Gov. Jay Inslee, along with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), today announced the launch of WA Notify, a simple, anonymous exposure notification tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19. By adding WA Notify to their smartphones, Washington residents will be alerted if they spent time near another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19. 

Washington residents now have a new way to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Washington Exposure Notifications — WA Notify — is a completely private feature on smartphones that can inform people if they have been exposed to COVID-19 by another user who later tests positive. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by adding WA Notify to your phone today.

COVID-19 hospital occupancy is rapidly increasing throughout Washington as the state continues to experience exponential growth in new cases.