Inslee says closures will mostly remain after May 4

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that much of his “stay home, stay healthy” order will remain in place after May 4 even as he clarifies what will have to happen in order for businesses to reopen.

“The current ‘stay home, stay safe’ order will remain in effect,” Inslee said at a press conference. “We’ve seen some progress, but we’re not where we need to be.”

The governor said that COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death rates would have to fall as the state improves testing and contact tracing, improves “health care system readiness” and reduces the risk to residents of long-term care facilities.

Inslee said the state’s evaluations are “based on data and science” and are “appropriate” to guard the health of state residents. However, because of that, his order shutting down non-essential businesses and large gatherings, and asking people who are not essential workers to “shelter in place” at home, will not be lifted in its entirety on May 4.

No single number will dictate when the next phase of reopening should take place, the governor said. “We need to make sure all are significantly improved,” Inslee said.

The order, originally issued in late March, was set to expire on April 24. Inslee later extended it, saying more time was needed to make progress in combatting the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

This week, the governor has issued proclamations allowing for the resumption of private home construction as well as outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing and golf.

Inslee said he would reveal the phases of the restart plan in a press conference on Friday.

The governor also issued an “interpretive statement” on Wednesday that outlines the conditions under which “non-urgent” medical procedures could take place. Under the interpretation, health care providers should consider the patient’s overall health, the possibility that delay could result in more complex future treatment, whether or not leaving a condition untreated could make a patient more vulnerable to COVID-19, and the availability of “non-surgical alternatives” when considering whether to do a “non-urgent” procedure under current conditions.

Hospitals and clinics must also provide proper personal protective equipment to the staff, Inslee said.

“We want our heroes in hospitals to be protected,” he said.

Inslee said the state is currently testing around 4,600 people per day for COVID-19, and he believes that number can get up to around 22,000 per day if the state can get hold of enough swabs and transfer medium.

“We’re scouring the globe to get materials,” he said.

Inslee said more testing material needs to be manufactured in the United States, and he urged President Donald Trump to use the Defense Production Act to make that happen.

“We need a guaranteed long-term, stable supply in terms of millions,” he said.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected].