The state and city acted quickly, instituting some of the most aggressive containment policies in the nation. As early as the end of February, officials were urging social distancing and asking people to stay at home. By mid-March, a moratorium on events and gatherings was in place, and restaurants, bars and gyms were closed. The governor's full stay-at-home order was issued March 23.
Seattle went further, closing or limiting access to parks, beginning in April. The city made other policy decisions to encourage safe behaviors, such as the "
Stay Healthy Streets" initiative, to allow residents to walk and exercise at a safe distance from each other. The city has also instituted free temporary permits for sidewalk cafes, merchandise displays and food vending.
There was concern that the protests that began in June, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, could accelerate the spread of the coronavirus. The city handed out face coverings to those who needed them at some of the initial protests, Formas says. The city also signed an agreement with Public Health – Seattle & King County to allow anyone who attended a protest to get tested for COVID-19.
www.kingcounty.gov
