News

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced updates to the July 24 guidance for restaurants, taverns, breweries, wineries and distilleries as part of Washington's Safe Start phased reopening plan. Changes include clarification about which establishments can offer indoor seating, temporary outdoor seating guidance and counter-style seating clarifications.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the Department of Corrections has taken steps to slow virus spread among correctional facilities, including temporary suspension of visitation and pow wows. Correctional facilities have also temporarily suspended and/or modified recreational and classroom activities that normally involve group gatherings. In the Red Willow, ceremonies like the sweat lodge have been split into two shorter sessions, to allow for smaller groups. The ‘sweat’ portion has also been temporarily suspended.

The governor, with support from the Legislature, has announced that job search requirements will remain suspended through Sept. 1. This means the soonest claimants will be required to actively seek work is Sept. 6.

Through the CARES Act, Congress allocated funds to local school districts and to state education agencies to provide support in covering emergency COVID-19 costs

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation today related to the state's contact tracing efforts and personal information protection.

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the extension of proclamation 20-46.1, first issued in April, which relates to protections for high-risk employees and workers' rights. 

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically-necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 until Aug. 27.

 The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report, which outlines concerning trends in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, as well as mixed trends in case counts in different parts of the state.

The memo outlines the updates to gatherings, live entertainment, restaurants and taverns, entertainment and recreational centers, card rooms, movie theaters, and weddings and funerals and builds upon guidance released last week

Top state officials provide a media briefing by phone to reporters, livestreamed by TVW.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) launched the Community Recovery-Oriented Needs Assessment, or the CORONA survey.

 El Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington (DOH) lanzó la Evaluación de Necesidades Orientadas a la Recuperación de la Comunidad, o encuesta CORONA.

Public health staff, medical facilities, telehealth, business and job support, and social supports such as food, housing to benefit from new state CARES Act funding

Gov. Jay Inslee Thursday announced the extension of proclamation 20-25, Washington's Safe Start Phased Reopening plan. Inslee also announced the extension of the eviction moratorium as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide.

Today, the secretary of health’s statewide face covering order will expand to require face coverings in any indoor setting outside of your home (not just public buildings) and expands the outdoor requirement to non-public settings when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance from non-household memb