WASHINGTON STATE ISSUES SWEEPING RESTRICTIONS TO COMBAT CORONAVIRUS SURGE:

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) on Sunday announced broad new restrictions that will affect restaurants, theaters, gyms and indoor gatherings.

The new restrictions will last for at least four weeks. Restaurants will be allowed to operate only outdoor service, and parties will be limited to five or fewer people. Gyms, theaters and museums will be shut down, The Seattle Times reported.

Gatherings with people outside a single household will be prohibited unless those involved have quarantined for a week and tested negative for the coronavirus. Religious services and offices will be allowed to remain open, though they must operate at 25 percent capacity. If possible, workplaces should mandate that employees work from home.

Schools and courts will not be affected, though the newspaper noted that they are already operating remotely for the most part. The new guidelines do not apply to child care, and construction and manufacturing will be allowed to continue operating.

CTL-F “Protest” brings up zero results, but this headline from July likely answers the question: Gov. Inslee: ‘Evidence is pretty strong’ protests haven’t increased spread of COVID-19.