This page lists select actions through 31 July 2020 as Governors responded to the novel coronavirus. It is not intended to be exhaustive but is meant to highlight key actions and resources that may inform other states and territories. A full archive of NGA COVID-19 related material can be found here.
Washington state coronavirus resource page.
- February 29, 2020—Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency and called for implementation of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. The Governor also mobilized the National Guard in state status to support efforts.
- March 4, 2020—The state senate unanimously approved $100 million funding package to support state and local public health organizations respond to the coronavirus. An amendment was added that ensures individuals can access unemployment benefits without meeting the work search requirements if they are under isolation or quarantine.
- March 4, 2020—According to news sources, King County purchased a motel to expand its ability to provide quarantine.
- March 5, 2020—Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued an emergency order for all state-regulated health plans to waive co-pays and deductibles for testing, allow for a one-time early refill on prescription medications, and allow enrollees to be treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no cost (if there is not enough providers testing in network).
- March 5, 2020—The Department of Labor and Industries has changed its workers compensation policies to ensure that benefits are provided to health care workers and first responders who are quarantined.
- March 10, 2020—Governor Inslee issued rules guiding visitor rules, screening, and protective measures for nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
- March 10, 2020—Governor Inslee announced a ban on gatherings of 250 people or more in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties as part of a social distancing strategy.
- March 10, 2020—The Governor’s office published a resource list for business and workers in the state who have been impacted by the virus. These resources are aimed at supporting economic retention and recovery efforts.
- March 10, 2020—The Washington State Department of Health developed a suite of policy considerations and recommendations for school facilities, correctional facilities, and broader community-based organizations.
- March 11, 2020—Governor Inslee issued an emergency proclamation prohibiting large public events with more the 250 people in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.
- March 12, 2020—Governor Inslee announced closures of all public and private K-12 schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties for the next six weeks.
- March 13, 2020 – The Governor signed a proclamation requiring that all public and private universities, colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship and similar programs are prohibited from conducting in-person classroom instruction and lectures.
- March 14, 2020 – The Washington State Department of Health and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner issued an emergency order to state-regulated health plans to cover testing and lab fees related to COVID-19 without copays or deductibles and to suspend prior authorization requirements for treatments.
- March 15, 2020 – The Governor signed an emergency proclamation temporarily shutting down restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities.
- March 16, 2020 – The Governor announced an emergency proclamation that mandates the immediate two-week closure of all restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities, as well as additional limits on large gatherings.
- March 17, 2020 – The Governor signed a series of bills that permit the following actions to bolster the state response to COVID-19:
- Provide $200 million to state agencies, local government and tribal governments to respond to COVID-19 and move $175 million from the Budget Stabilization Account to the Disaster Response Account for COVID-19 mitigation. Legislation will also permit $25 million from the Budget Stabilization Account to be used to assist businesses with unemployment impacts.
- Increase surge capacity in health care workforce by reducing credentialing delays for healthcare workers and allowing managed care organizations to fill positions with substitute heath care providers.
- Allow hourly school employees to maintain health care eligibility provided by the School Employees Benefits Board for the duration of school closures.
- Allow state workers and school district employees forced to isolate or quarantine due to infection or exposure to use shared leave.
- March 17, 2020 – The Governor issued proclamations restricting access to long-term care facilities and temporarily suspending vision tests for driver license applicants through April 15.
- March 17, 2020 – The Governor’s Office compiled a list of resources for businesses offering extensions on tax filings and waiving penalties for late payments for impacted businesses.
- March 17, 2020 – The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner posted information on insurance for businesses and event cancellation insurance.
- March 19, 2020 – The Governor requested that President Donald Trump dispatch the U.S.S. Mercy to Puget Sound in order to support health care capacity.
- March 19, 2020 – The Governor announced restrictions on non-urgent medical and dental procedures to free up health care workers and protective equipment. The restrictions will not apply to emergency and urgent needs.
- March 19, 2020- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Washington’s request for a Section 1135 Medicaid waiver. The approved waiver enables the Washington to provide flexibilities in Medicaid provider screening, forgo certain pre-admission screening and annual resident review assessments, lift prior authorization requirements, allow for reimbursement facility services in alternative settings, extend fair hearing timelines, and waive public comment and tribal consultation requirements for certain changes to the Medicaid state plan.
- March 19, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to President Trump requesting the declaration of a federal major disaster in the state of Washington.
- March 21, 2020 – The Washington State Department of Health published guidelines on allocation of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- First Tier Recipients: long-term care facilities, hospitals with the greatest number of confirmed cases, EMS and first responders asked to transport confirmed patients, and health-care workers supporting long-term care facilities with confirmed cases.
- Second Tier Recipients: health care facilities with fewer confirmed cases, congregate locations with confirmed cases, other EMS services, and Department of Health-run isolation and quarantine facilities.
- Third Tier Recipients: quarantine and isolation facilities run by other jurisdictions, skilled nursing facilities, other health care facilities, and outpatient facilities.
- Fourth Tier Recipients: homeless shelters and other congregate locations, and family members of confirmed cases.
- March 22, 2020 – The Governor named Navy Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono as the Washington state director for COVID-19 Health System Response Management
- March 22, 2020 – The White House approved the Governor’s request, declaring a major disaster in Washington state.
- March 22, 2020 – President Trump announced the activation of the National guard in Washington state.
- March 22, 2020 – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closure of all state campgrounds through April 30.
- March 23, 2020 – The Governor announced a statewide “Stay at Home” order, which will last for two weeks and could be extended. The order requires all Washingtonians to stay at home except for essential activities; bans all gatherings for social, spiritual, and recreational purposes; and closes all non-essential businesses.
- March 23, 2020 – The Governor urged the Trump administration to expand unemployment benefits.
- March 24, 2020 – The Governor created a $5 million grant program for small businesses statewide using the Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF). The Department of Commerce is putting the finishing touches to the program’s guidelines and application, and the website link will become active once ready to accept applications.
- March 24, 2020 – The Governor announced a series of administrative measures, including:
- Waiving statutory requirements in the Open Public Meetings Act to prevent gatherings of people, and waiving the requirement in the Public Records Act to respond to or acknowledge requests within five days;
- Authorizing electronic notary services by waiving the delayed effective date of SB 5641; and
- Waiving penalties for failure to remit timely tax payments to the Liquor and Cannabis Board until April 22.
- March 25, 2020 – The Governor signed a proclamation waiving work search requirements in order to receive unemployment insurance.
- March 25, 2020 – The Governor signed a proclamation increasing parity between health care providers who deliver in-person and telemedicine care. The measure prohibits insurance carriers from denying telemedicine claims.
- March 26, 2020 – The Governor announced several proclamations, accomplishing the following:
- Waiving requirements for in-person visitation by children in the custody of the state Department of Children, Youth and Family with family;
- Waiving licensing requirements for healthcare workers to practice in the state, including ongoing education requirements;
- Waiving licensing requirements for childcare workers; and
- Waiving deadlines for local governments to file their required annual financial reports with the State Auditor’s Office.
- March 28, 2020 – The Governor sent additional guidance to funeral homes and cemeteries, tribal governments, and real estate stakeholders regarding the “Stay at Home” order.
- March 30, 2020 – The Governor announced guidance to state and local law enforcement on his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, including an online form to report businesses violating orders.
- March 31, 2020 – The Governor and the director of the Department of Financial Institutions announced steps to assist homeowners who are unable to make mortgage payments, including guidance issued to companies servicing mortgages urging them to work with homeowners and grant payment forbearance for those who need it.
- March 31, 2020 – The Governor announced updated guidance regarding the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, including guidance on essential employees and permissible recreational activities.
- March 31, 2020 – The Governor signed a proclamation waiting post-retirement statutory work limitations, allowing experienced employees to return to work for essential jobs.
- April 2, 2020 – The Governor announced an extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, banning gatherings and closing non-essential businesses until May 4.
- April 2, 2020 – The Governor signed Senate Bill 6478, which expands access to TANF and eliminates the 60-month time limit for families without regular housing.
- April 3, 2020 – The Governor used his veto authority to trim $235 million from the 2020 supplemental operation budget to account for reduction in economic revenue.
- April 3, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation extending the renewal date of personal and commercial driver’s licenses.
- April 3, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation suspending the requirement to hold a DUI hearing within 30 days of when a driver contests his or her license suspension following a DUI arrest.
- April 5, 2020 – The Governor announced that the state will send more than 400 ventilators received from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), back to SNS inventory to redistribute to states facing higher COVID-19 case counts.
- April 6, 2020 – The Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction extended school closures for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
- April 7, 2020 – The Governor launched a coordinated, statewide food relief fund in partnership with nonprofits and local philanthropies.
- April 7, 2020 – The Governor and the Washington State Department of Commerce announced the following actions to help small businesses:
- The administration of the Working Washington Small Business Grant to small businesses with under 10 employees;
- The provision of business resiliency assistance through partnerships with organizations that serve economically disadvantaged communities; and
- The acceptance of applications for U.S. SBA forgivable loans.
- April 8, 2020 – The Governor announced that the Department of Defense field hospital stationed at the Century Link Field Event Center will be returned to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be redeployed to another state as needed.
- April 10, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation authorizing nursing homes to transfer or discharge residents to another long term care facility, enabling facilities to care for similarly situated residents.
- April 10, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation removing certain statutory hearing deadlines and service process requirements relating to protection, extreme risk, and similar orders to ensure justice for victims. The proclamation also encourages the use of electronic and remote hearings.
- April 10, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation removing restrictions on paying employees by mail, allowing for shared leave, and waiving requirements prohibiting accrued vacation time.
- April 13, 2020 – The Governors of Washington, California, and Oregon announced the Western States Pact to guide a coordinated approach to reopening the states and their economies.
- April 13, 2020 – The Governor announced a strategy to protect the health of incarcerated individuals, including early release of vulnerable populations and nonviolent individuals.
- April 13, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation providing high-risk workers the right to protect themselves without jeopardizing their employment status.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation suspending the statutes of limitations for all crimes and waives the 1-year limitation on raising post-conviction challenges in criminal convictions.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation waiving certain statutory barriers for renewing or extending commercial driver licenses and learner permits.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation suspending statutes that permit the collection of consumer debt judgements, including bank account and wage garnishments and waiving the accrual of post-judgment interest on consumer debt judgments.
- April 15, 2020 – The Governor signed a proclamation and a commutation order to protect the health of incarcerated individuals by focusing on early release of vulnerable and non-violent individuals.
- April 16, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation, expanding the existing moratorium on evictions through June 4.
- April 17, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation extending the suspension of restrictions on truck driver hours until May 15.
- April 17, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation extending the suspension of certain laws relating to the operation of utilities and providing relief to utility payers to May 4.
- April 17, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation eliminating barriers to host community association meetings remotely and suspending statutes that permits the imposition and collection of fees for late payment of community assessments.
- April 21, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Vice President Pence requesting federal assistance to develop a national testing system.
- April 21, 2020 – The Governor announced Washington’s Recovery Plan, building a framework to loosen restrictions as the spread of COVID-19 continues to decline.
- The Governor said it is unlikely original restrictions under the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order will be modified before May 4.
- April 21, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Washington’s request for a COVID-related Medicaid Section 1115 waiver through the end of the public health emergency. The waiver grants Washington new flexibilities in its Medicaid long term services and supports program (LTSS).
- April 22, 2020 – The Employment Security Department launched an online system to accommodate the expansion of unemployment benefits enabled by the CARES Act.
- April 23, 2020 – The Governor extended 20 existing proclamations until May 4, including proclamations regarding:
- Long-term health care;
- Department of Revenue relief from penalties;
- Unemployment Insurance waivers;
- Child care background checks;
- Healthcare workers licensing requirements; and
- Visitation and remedial services, among others.
- April 24, 2020 – The Governor, in consultation with Washington’s construction industry, announced plans to permit the completion of current construction projects, previously postponed by COVID-19 health restrictions.
- April 27, 2020 – The Governor announced that Colorado and Nevada will join Washington, Oregon, and California in the Western States Pact.
- April 27, 2020 – The Governor announced partial reopening of some outdoor recreation activities, including day use at state parks, state public lands managed by the DNR and WDFW, fishing, hunting, and playing golf.
- April 27, 2020 – The Governor announced nearly $300 million in funding from the state’s federal stimulus funding to be awarded to local governments that did not receive direct distributions under the CARES Act.
- April 29, 2020 – The Governor clarified guidance regarding the completion of ongoing construction projects.
- April 29, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance limiting non-urgent medical procedures, expanding on the existing Proclamation 20-24.
- April 29, 2020 – The Governor rolled out a new COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard to facilitate the evaluation of lifting restrictions outlined in the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order.
April 30, 2020 – The Governor announced the federal government’s invocation of the Defense Production Act to increase the provision of testing supplies to Washington state and others. - May 1, 2020 – The Governor released a chart outlining the state’s phased approach to reopening with modified physical distancing measures.
- May 4, 2020 – The Governor signed an executive order outlining Washington’s “Safe Start” plan – a phased approach to reopening the state’s economy.
- May 5, 2020 – The Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction launched CareerConnect@Home, allowing students to participate in virtual conversations with professionals about their jobs and the future of their respective industries.
- May 5, 2020 – The Governor announced the members of Safe State advisory groups designed to inform state decision-making around Public Health and Health Care Systems, Safe Work and Economic Recovery, and Social Supports.
- May 5, 2020 – The Governor announced extensions of 12 proclamations, including statutory waivers and suspensions to the Department of Licensing, Department of Revenue, Unemployment Benefits, and Liquor and Cannabis Board, among others.
- May 6, 2020 – The Governor signed an emergency proclamation waiving and suspending statutory requirements requiring candidates to submit a filing fee petition with registered voters’ signatures if they cannot afford to pay the filing fee.
- May 6, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for vehicle and vessel sales, and drive-in religious services as part of Phase 1 of the state’s “Safe Start” plan.
- May 6, 2020 – The Governor and the state Department of Health released an update to the state’s Risk-Assessment Dashboard.
- May 7, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation waiving and suspending certain statutes to enable the Office of Financial Management to use federal funding to address increased COVID-19 related costs for certain represented employees.
- May 7, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for restarting essential workforce development plans under Phase 1 of the “Safe Start” plan.
- May 7, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for the reopening of the car wash industry, provided operations comply with specific requirements, including the necessary materials, schedules, and equipment.
- May 7, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Washington’s second request for a Medicaid 1135 waiver. The waiver allows Washington to waive consent requirements for Home and Community-Based Services(HCBS), to reimburse for HCBS services provided at an entity that also provides case management services, and to allow for HCBS in additional settings.
- May 8, 2020 – The Governor released additional Safe Start Phase 1 guidance, including guidance around curbside retail sales and landscaping.
- May 11, 2020 – The Governor and Western Leaders sent a letter to Congress requesting $1 trillion in direct and flexible aid to states and locals.
- May 11, 2020 – The Governor extended nine existing proclamations, including statutory waivers and suspensions regarding health care facilities and hand sanitizer, post-retirement employment, license renewals, annual leave and pay procedures, among others.
- May 11, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance regarding the resumption of dine-in services at restaurants and taverns in certain counties under Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan.
- May 12, 2020 – The Governor announced the extension of three proclamations, extending proclamations 20-28 and 20-31 until May 31, and extending certain statutory suspensions in 20-33-1 until May 18.
- May 12, 2020 – The Governor announced the launch of a statewide contact tracing initiative to complement the state’s reopening plan. The effort will be led by local health departments and supported by the state Department of Health.
- May 12, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for the partial resumption on in-store retail and manufacturing operations under Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan.
- May 13, 2020 – The Governor issued a directive to executive and small cabinet agencies to freeze all hiring, personal service contracts, and equipment purchases.
- May 13, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance to certain counties regarding the resumption of personal services and professional services as part of Phase Two of the state’s “Safe Start” plan.
- May 14, 2020 – The Governor issued additional guidance for outdoor recreation under Phases 1 and 2 of the state’s “Safe Start” plan.
- May 15, 2020 – The Governor announced the extension of four proclamations in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, including:
- Truck driver hours to June 14;
- CDL licensing waivers to May 31;
- Garnishment and accrual of interest to May 21; and
- Community Associations meetings and late fees to May 31.
- May 15, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for construction, golf, and photography services under Phase 2 of the state’s “Safe Start” plan.
- May 15, 2020 – The Governor announced the extension of Proclamation 20-45, aimed at strengthening protection for domestic violence victims.
- May 18, 2020 – The Governor announced the state’s plan for the resumption of elective medical procedures. Individual medical and dental practices will be responsible for assessing their own readiness to determine when and to what degree to reopen.
- May 18, 2020 – The Governor issued additional guidance regarding the resumption of pet grooming operations under Phase 2 of the state’s “Safe Start” plan.
- May 19, 2020 – The Governor announced new criteria for additional counties to apply for variances to move to Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan.
- May 19, 2020 – The Governor extended proclamation 20-33.2 to May 31. The proclamation waives requirements for in-person visitation by children in the custody of the state Department of Children, Youth, and Family.
- May 19, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to the Director of Washington State Health Care Authority and the Washington State Benefit Exchange CEO, reiterating his support for Cascade Care, Washington’s public option for health insurance.
- May 19, 2020 – The Governor issued additional guidance for real estate and fitness operations under Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan.
- May 22, 2020 – The Washington State Department of Health announced additional counties eligible to move to Phase 2 under the Safe Start plan.
- May 22, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to the Trump administration, requesting an extension of authority and additional funding for Washington National Guard employment in support of COVID-19 emergency response.
- May 26, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance, clarifying requirements for outdoor recreation under Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the state’s reopening.
- May 26, 2020 – The Governor extended proclamation 20-49.3, protecting CARES Act stimulus payments and state and federal unemployment payments from bank account garnishments.
- May 27, 2020 – The Governor announced the state’s plan to restart religious and faith-based services in Phases 1 and 2 of the “Safe Start” plan. Under Phase 1, religious and faith-based organizations may host up to 100 people for outdoor services; under Phase 2, they may host up to 25% of their capacity, or 50 individuals, and conduct in-home services of five people.
- May 28, 2020 – The Governor announced the state’s plan to begin broad testing within long term care facilities and laid out additional health and safety guidelines for the agriculture industry.
- May 29, 2020 – The Governor announced the expansion of the Safe Start plan, as the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order ends on May 31. The plan will begin a phased reopening on a county-by-county basis.
- May 29, 2020 – The Governor extended 23 proclamations regarding COVID-19, including the suspension of laws and rules relating to tax penalties, fees, interest and due dates, and the suspension of statutes and rules related to a one-week waiting period to collect unemployment insurance.
- May 31, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation to launch the Safe Start plan.
- June 1, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for higher education and workforce training requirements in Phases 1 and 2 of the states reopening plan.
- June 2, 2020 – The Governor extended an existing moratorium on evictions to protect renters affected by COVID-19.
- June 2, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for library and drive-in theater operations under Phase 1 and 2 of the “Safe Start” plan.
- June 2, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance, clarifying requirements for the agriculture industry, and building on the Agriculture Safety Plan, as the industry begins to reopen under the “Safe Start” plan.
- June 5, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for professional sporting activities, youth team sports and adult recreation sports activities in Phase 2 and 3 of the “Safe Start” plan.
- June 5, 2020 – The Governor issued a safety plan template for businesses in Phase 3 of the “Safe Start” plan. Each business or entity operating in Phase 3 must develop a written safety plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19; business may use the template or develop its own safety plan following industry-specific guidance.
- June 9, 2020 – The Governor announced the extension of a proclamation giving high-risk workers the right to protect themselves from COVID-19 without jeopardizing their employment status or loss of income.
- June 9, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance to domestic services including nannies, house cleaners, cooks, and household managers in Phase 2, as well as expanded and updated guidance for certain recreational activities.
- June 10, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to Vice President Pence calling for a federal response to address persistent shortages of PPE.
- June 11, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation outlining the states plan to possibly reopen schools for the 2020-2021 academic school year. The Superintendent of Public Instruction unveiled the Reopening Washington Schools 2020 Planning Guide, authorized by the Governor’s proclamation.
- June 11, 2020 – The Governor issued guidance for card rooms and other related businesses under Phase 2 of reopening.
- June 15, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to the Trump administration requesting immediate implementation of a national aviation screening system for domestic and international passengers, to ensure the safety of travelers and aviation workers.
- June 15, 2020 – The Governor extended a proclamation waiving/suspending restrictions on truck driver hours through July 14.
- June 16, 2020 – The Governor extended a proclamation providing flexibility and relief to courts by removing certain statutory hearing deadlines and service of process requirements pertaining to domestic assault, sexual assault, stalking, extreme risk, and other similar orders, to ensure access to justice for victims.
- June 17, 2020 – The Governor directed state agencies to cancel a scheduled 3% general wage increase to many of the state’s highest-paid general government employees and to begin furloughs for most state employees.
- June 18, 2020 – The Governor announced updated health guidance for religious and faith-based services under Phase 3. The updated health guidance will permit indoor capacity of 50% or 400 people, whichever is less. Requirements for face coverings and social distancing will remain the same.
- June 18, 2020 – The Governor extended 23 proclamations in response to COVID-19, including proclamations pertaining to unemployment benefits, telemedicine, and long-term care, among others.
- June 19, 2020 – The Governor signed two new and one updated proclamation:
- Proclamation 20-58 waives/suspends statutes that require shared work benefits to be paid by employers.
- Proclamation 20-59 allows dental hygiene and pharmacy graduates to obtain a temporary license under certain conditions.
- Proclamation 20-41.5 allows the Department of Licensing to do an online attestation and not have to meet in-person.
- June 19, 2020 – The Governor issued a clarification for non-religious weddings and funeral or memorial services in Phases 1, 2, and 3.
- June 24, 2020 – The Governor, joined by the presidents of Washington colleges and universities, unveiled guidance for the reopening of in-person instruction are higher education institutions in the fall. The guidance mirrors public health guidance across the state, and will require each institution to develop and implement its own Safe Back-to-School Plan.
- June 25, 2020 – The Governor sent a memo to local government officials explaining the state’s Safe Start Reopening Guide.
- June 27, 2020 – The Governor and Secretary Wiesman announced that the Washington State Department of Health will pause counties moving to Phase 4 of the “Safe Start” phased approach.
- June 30, 2020 – The Governor issued a new proclamation waiving and suspending a statute that prevents, hinders or delays necessary action by requiring annual updates to Transportation Improvement Plans by July 1 of each year.
- June 30, 2020 – The Governor announced the extension of the Tribal Fuel Tax Refund Restrictions proclamation.
- June 30, 2020 – The Governor announced nearly $365 million in funding for rent assistance, tribal recovery efforts, small businesses, and nonprofits.
- July 1, 2020 – The Governor issued a brief extension of the Safe Start proclamation until July 9.
- July 2, 2020 – The Governor and the Secretary of Health announced the statewide requirement for businesses to require face coverings of all employees and customers.
- July 2, 2020 – The Governor extended 23 proclamations related to COVID-19, including proclamations regarding unemployment benefits and telemedicine, among others.
- July 7, 2020 – The Governor extended the Safe Start proclamation until August 6 and provided clarifications around the Department of Health’s face coverings order and guidance to restaurants and taverns in Phases 2 and 3.
- July 9, 2020 – The Governor issued a proclamation expanding eligibility of the Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Family Emergency Assistant Program (FEAP) to include individuals and families without children.
- July 13, 2020 – The Governor sent a letter to the Trump administration, requesting an extension of federal authority and funding for the Washington National Guard employment in support of COVID-19 response operations.
- July 16, 2020 – The Governor extended three proclamations related to COVID-19, including regarding visitation and remedial services, shared work, and temporary licensing for dental and pharmacy graduates.
- July 16, 2020 – The Governor and the Secretary of Health announced a new limit on social gatherings and a ban on live entertainment across the state.
- July 23, 2020 – The Governor and the Secretary of Health announced changes to Washington’s “Safe Start” plan, adapting restrictions around restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, as well as weddings and funerals.
- July 24, 2020 – The Governor extended the state’s eviction moratorium, making minor clarifications to existing restrictions, and creating a working group to inform potential changes to the moratorium.
- July 28, 2020 – The Governor released an additional guidance document following last week’s announcement of guidance updates in Washington’s Safe Start phased reopening plan following the extension of the proclamation.
- July 29, 2020 – The Governor announced the extension of proclamation 20-46.1, first issued in April, which relates to protections for high-risk employees and workers’ rights.
