 Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in King County 24 days ago, we?ve worked with Governor Inslee and King County Executive Constantine to deploy measures that will save lives and protect our health care system. The decisions we made to encourage residents to telework and close schools, bars, gyms, and nightclubs weren?t made lightly. We made these decisions to increase community mitigation efforts and prioritize true social distancing, understanding the consequences for our region could be devastating.
While the Governor and others had encouraged individuals to stay at home and practice social distancing, it was clear we needed to do more to stop the spread of the virus.???
This evening, Governor Inslee issued a ?Stay Home, Stay Healthy? order for Washington state. I believe that this order is the next necessary step to protect the health and safety of our communities.
Effective for at least two weeks, the Governor?s order requires that:??
- All Washington residents must stay home unless they are pursuing essential activities like getting food, going to a doctor?s appointment, or performing essential work functions.?
- All gatherings for social, recreational, or spiritual purposes are prohibited.?
- People can still participate in activities like bike rides, gardening, and dog walking ? as long as they follow social distancing rules.
- Restaurants can remain open for to-go, delivery, and curbside pickup.?
- All non-essential businesses must close unless employees can work from home.?
The only tool we have to combat the spread of COVID-19 is the actions each of us takes, and right now we MUST use social distancing and good hygiene. Stay home unless you really need to, and when you do go out stay six feet from everyone. These actions are critical to reducing the spread of the virus and protecting our health care workers and first responders who are on the frontlines of this public health emergency. ?
While grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and other essential services will continue to operate, some additional businesses may be impacted. Essential businesses include food and agriculture, transportation, financial services, government, and others. You can find more information from the Governor?s Office here. In addition, restaurants can remain open, provided they are offering pickup, delivery or takeout options. Check out our #SupportSeattleSmallBiz campaign to see what businesses in your neighborhood are offering these options and use the hashtag to promote your favorite local shops and restaurants.
For now, this is a new normal for us. I know these orders impact the livelihoods and ways of life of our families. But it?s the right thing to do for the long-term health, safety, and vitality of our communities.
Many of you are showing why Seattle is the best city in the country. Despite this adversity, we have done incredible work to sew masks, give blood, or contribute to those in need. As a City, we have created grocery vouchers, helped our artists and small businesses, and provided services for our most vulnerable including seniors and individuals experiencing homelessness. And our first responders and many frontline workers are continuing to provide critical services to our residents, keep our bridges and individuals safe, and provide basic services like water, power, and garbage collection.
Please know that I am so grateful to everyone in our city during these unprecedented circumstances. We will come through this largely because of our city?s kindness and compassion. Thank you for everything you?re doing. And please stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
 
To help communities significantly impacted by COVID-19 in Seattle, the City of Seattle created a new centralized website where residents can find information about relief programs offered by the City, the County and the State. This site pulls together resources for workers, artists, small businesses, nonprofits, parents, homeowners, and community members to make it easier for City of Seattle residents to find assistance during this unprecedented public health crisis. You can visit the statewide website here.
Out of an abundance of caution,?Seattle Department of Transportation is closing the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge tonight to all traffic due to accelerated concrete cracking that was identified during a regular bridge inspection. The bridge closure began at 7 p.m. tonight and will remain closed until further notice.
All vehicles will be prohibited from crossing the high-rise span of the bridge between I-5 and Fauntleroy Way SW. Buses, freight and emergency vehicles will be moved to Spokane Street Bridge, which is also called the ?low bridge.? Motorists should use the First Ave or South Park bridges. The City is putting signs in place to guide people through the new route. Prohibiting people and vehicles from the structure reduces the load weight and is necessary for public safety.
Today #allinSeattle launched their campaign for small businesses and working people who have been impacted by COVID-19. If you have been asking yourself how you can help, visit #allinseattle to see many of the organizations quickly deploying resources to those in need.
In less than 72 hours, #allinSeattle has raised $27 million towards key issues including food security, housing assistance, artists, and small businesses. This includes critical partnerships with the City of Seattle for emergency food vouchers and our Small Business Stabilization fund.
From sewing masks to giving blood to dropping off food for your neighbor to contributing to those in need, we have seen Seattle bring its heart and soul to tackling this crisis together.
Last week, we announced that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle Police Department (SPD) are implementing temporary changes to parking enforcement in the City of Seattle. As parking and transportation needs have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SDOT is adjusting its parking rules to better support residents? and businesses? needs during this time.
Rule changes will be made to the following three areas:
- 72-Hour Parking Rule
- Booting and Towing
- Temporary Restaurant Loading Zones
All other standard parking rules will continue to be enforced, including unpermitted parking or blocking access to an existing or created zone at clinics and hospitals, fire hydrants, police precincts or other public health and safety locations, and illegal parking in a bicycle or transit lane. Payment will still be required for on-street parking at metered spaces and other parking time limits will continue to be enforced so that there will still be available parking spaces in front of businesses and other destinations. Time limits and use of special zones will still be enforced (e.g., transit zones, shuttle bus zones, taxi zones). SDOT and SPD will continue to evaluate potential additional changes to parking regulations and enforcement.
Information on changes to parking citations, fines, and adjudication can be found on?SDOT?s COVID-19 parking page.
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