NEW - Nov. 17 Washington State Restrictions
Washington State, including Benton and Franklin Counties, are seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases as area hospitals are seeing increasing volumes. To protect our health care system readiness, and to preserve lives, Governor Inslee announced state-wide, temporary restrictions starting Tuesday, Nov, 17
until Dec. 14.
For more information about the Governor's new restrictions, visit this page. Temporary restrictions listed below.
- Indoor social gatherings outside your household members prohibited unless all quarantine for 14 days prior OR have a 7-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test nor more than 48 hours prior to gathering.
- Outdoor gatherings limited to no more than five people outside your household with masking.
- Long-term care facilities limited to outdoor visitation only unless for essential support persons or end-of-life care
- Restaurants, bars/distilleries/taverns/wineries, indoor food courts, and similar businesses closed for indoor service. Outdoor dining, at outdoor guidance, with table size limited to 5 individuals and to-go service permitted (effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18).
- In-store retail and grocery at 25% occupancy. Congregate areas, including sit and eat areas, must be closed.
- Personal services at 25% capacity. (Cosmetologists, cosmetology testing, hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, nail salon workers, electrologists, permanent make-up artists, tanning salons, and tatoo artists)
- Professional services required to mandate work-from-home when possible and close offices to the public, if possible. Any office remaining open must limit occupancy to 24% indoor capacity.
- Religious and faith-based services at 25% capacity, or 200 individuals, whichever is less. No choirs, bands, or ensemble performances. Vocal or instrumental soloists permitted. No congregational singing. Face coverings required at all times. Outdoor services must follow the outdoor dining guidance.
- Wedding and funeral ceremonies limited to 30 people. Wakes, receptions, and similar activities prohibited.
- Fitness facilities and gyms closed for indoor operations. Outdoor instruction permitted to outdoor social gathering restriction above of 5 individuals.
- Youth and adult sporting activities prohibited indoors. Outdoor activities limited to intra-team practices only, with facial coverings required for coaches, volunteers, and athletes at all times.
- Bowling alleys, museums, zoos, aquariums and movie theaters closed for indoor service.
- Real estate open houses prohibited.
- All retail activities (events/bazaars) and business meetings prohibited. Only professional training that cannot be performed remotely are allowed. Occupancy limited to 25% indoor occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less (convention centers, designated meeting areas in hotels, fairgrounds, sporting arenas, nonprofit establishment, or similar venue.
Not impacted at this time at the State level:
- K-12 and higher education (as determined at the county level)
- Child care
- Health care
- Courts and court-related proceedings
- Anything not on the list above (see phase 2 guidance)
More information about COVID-19
- Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
- Benton-Franklin Health District Message Line
- 509-460-4358 (English)
- 509-460-4359 (Spanish)