Understanding Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 Proclamations and Guidance

On February 29, 2020, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation No. 20-05, where he “proclaim[ed] that a State of Emergency exists in all counties in the state of Washington, and direct[ed] the plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented.”  Since that date, Governor Inslee has issued more than 40 additional COVID-19 Proclamations, each impacting nearly all facets of business and life in Washington State.  These Proclamations include, among many others, Proclamation No. 20-25 (Stay Home, Stay Healthy through April 6, 2020), No. 20-25.1 (extending the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order through May 4, 2020), No. 20-19 (Moratorium on Evictions), No. 20-08 (School Closures), No. 20-09 (Statewide K-12 School Closures), No. 20.09.1 (School Closure Extension), No. 20-27 (Electronic Notary Effective Date), and No. 20-46 (High-Risk Employees – Workers’ Rights).  A complete list of the Governor’s COVID-19 Proclamations can be found at https://www.governor.wa.gov/office-governor/official-actions/proclamations.

The Governor also created web resources to provide guidance regarding the impact of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order on businesses operating in Washington State: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed/essential-business.  As Washington business leaders seek to understand the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order and adjust their operations accordingly, the need for clarification of the order is apparent.  The Governor created a web form business owners can use to seek clarification or submit a request for inclusion as an “Essential Business.”

Over the past month, we have worked with our clients to help them adjust to the ever-changing landscape of business during the COVID-19 pandemic.  If you have questions about how the Governor’s Proclamations impact your business or personal dealings, we would be happy to assist you.

Todd presented an Overview of Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home – Stay Healthy” Proclamations during Beresford Booth’s April 16, 2020 webinar. A PDF copy of this presentation slides can be found here:  https://beresfordlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Stay-Home-Stay-Healthy-Presentation-FINAL-PDF-4-16-20-00321089xC0FAE.pdf

Important Coronavirus Links:
Governor’s Proclamations:  https://www.governor.wa.gov/office-governor/official-actions/proclamations
Essential Businesses:  https://coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed/essential-business
Online Form to Seek Clarification / Inclusion:  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d4c155fa930f4b848f95774d610c9708
COVID-19 Resources:  https://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/covid-19-resources
Retired Workers:  https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-additional-guidance-stay-home-stay-healthy-order-and-proclamation-retired
March 28^th Guidance:  https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-additional-guidance-funerals-and-real-estate-transactions-letter-tribal
March 31^st Guidance:  https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-additional-guidance-stay-home-stay-healthy-order-and-proclamation-retired
OSHA Workplace Guidance:  https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
Department of Health Workplace Guidance:  https://www.doh.wa.gov/Coronavirus/workplace
Online Form to Report Suspected Violators:  https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/09349a1c56844b539fea1c2cabd16d56

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