Inslee announces Monday a three-tier process for reporting violators
In his Monday afternoon media availability to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee revealed a three-tier process for reporting violators of the stay-at-home order.
Specifically, Inslee addressed any activity deemed as non-essential, and therefore instructed to temporarily close during his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy’’ order.
“This is a huge hardship on these businesses,” Inslee said. “I understand that uncertainty.”
Inslee said he was asking for assistance from Washington residents.
“We are announcing today about how these measures will be enforced and how Washington residents can help,” Gov. Inslee said.
Inslee provided three levels for Washingtonians to report those violating the stay-at-home order.
The first level, or Tier one, calls for the violators of the order to be notified that they need to comply. Tier two would involve the issuance of citations and suspensions of licenses, including business licenses. Tier three would have law enforcement officials pass the complaints along to the state attorney general.
“Taking people to court is the last resort,” Inslee said.
Washington residents can report a violation of the stay-at-home order by filing a complaint at coronavirus.wa.gov.
“We’d like you to use your best judgment and notify local law enforcement,” Inlsee said.
Inslee asked Washingtonians not to call 9-1-1.
“These are local decisions,” Inlsee said. “We’re not going to tell local enforcement how to do their jobs.”
Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he doesn’t want to take anyone to court over this, but he will if it’s necessary.
“Our goal is 100 percent voluntary compliance,” Ferguson said.
Inslee said Monday that he doesn’t have a time frame yet on when the stay-at-home order will be lifted.
“I cannot do that,” Inslee said. “No one can do that today. The data continues to come in and change over the days.”
Guidance on real estate transactions
On Saturday, Inslee sent a letter that provides further guidance on real estate transactions today. The letter reads, in part:
“While real estate activities along with mortgage lending activities have been approved as
essential activities under the Proclamation, such activities shall only be permitted under the
following restrictions and limitations:
- In-person meetings with customers are prohibited except when necessary for a customer to view a property or sign necessary documents;
- No real estate open houses shall be permitted;
- Property viewings, inspections, appraisals, and final walk-throughs shall be arranged by appointment and limited to no more than two people on site at any one time, exercising social distancing at all times; and
- Except for the limited exceptions authorized above, all new real estate listings shall be facilitated remotely.
Guidance on funerals
In partnership with the governor’s office, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) sent additional guidance to funeral homes and cemeteries Saturday.
The letter from DOL reads, in part:
“As your licensing agency for mortuary services, we provide the following guidance. Licensed funeral homes and cemeteries may conduct funeral services in a funeral home or graveside under the following conditions:
- Funerals are only attended by immediate family members of the deceased.
- The family members in attendance must maintain proper social distancing, defined by the Centers for Disease Control as staying six feet apart.
“We have also received questions about embalming. The governor’s proclamation does not prohibit embalming.”
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