OLYMPIA, WA — New restrictions will take effect Thursday, limiting in-person service at restaurants, taverns, breweries, wineries, distilleries, entertainment centers, card rooms, and movie theaters in Washington.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced the changes last week, in response to heightened transmission of the coronavirus throughout much of the state.
This week, Inslee announced his freeze on reopening phases would continue “indefinitely,” until virus activity shows significant improvement. When the pause began, 17 counties were in Phase 3, 17 counties were in Phase 2 and five counties remained in a modified Phase 1.
Here’s what goes into effect on Thursday, July 30:
- All indoor service at bars, taverns, breweries, wineries, and distilleries is prohibited. Outdoor service is allowed under pre-existing guidance.
- Breweries and wineries that have restaurant licenses may continue restaurant operations, following safety rules in place for other dine-in establishments.
- Bar-area seating must close at restaurants under all phases of reopening.
- All alcohol service must conclude by 10 p.m.
- Counties under all phases must limit indoor dining to tables consisting only of members from the same household.
- Restaurants in Phase 3 counties must reduce table size to five people and overall occupancy to 50 percent.
- Game areas, including pool tables, darts, and arcade games are prohibited.
- Entertainment and recreational centers — including mini-golf, putt-putt, bowling alleys, indoor go-kart tracks, arcades, and “similar activities” are prohibited.
- Indoor card rooms cannot operate.
- Indoor movie theaters may only in counties that have reached Phase 3, and capacity is limited to 25 percent.
A ban on live entertainment, including concerts, stage productions, and comedy, went into effect on July 20. Additional restrictions on religious weddings and funerals take effect on Monday, Aug. 10.