Inslee To Shut Down Restaurants, Bars, Gatherings Over 50 People

SEATTLE, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee will sign an emergency proclamation Monday, limiting restaurants to take-out and delivery service and closing all bars, entertainment and recreation facilities in Washington, the governor's office announced Sunday.

Latest: Inslee Details Bar And Restaurant Closures, New Limits On Groups

Inslee said the ban will not apply to grocery stores or pharmacies, but other retailers will have "reduced occupancy."

State health officials have confirmed 769 illnesses linked to the new coronavirus in Washington, and 42 patients have died. According to an update Sunday, more than 10,000 people in the state have been tested for COVID-19 to date.

Related: 769 Coronavirus Cases In Washington, 2 New Deaths In King County

In addition to the new limits on businesses, Inslee said all gatherings with more than 50 people would be prohibited, narrowing an earlier mandate banning events with more than 250 people. Under the new order, events with fewer than 50 participants will have to meet specific public health criteria and social distancing measures to be permitted.

Earlier on Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance recommending the cancellation of all events with 50 or more people across the nation, for at least eight weeks.

"These are very difficult decisions, but hours count here and very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the virus," Inslee said. "I know there will be significant economic impacts to all our communities and we are looking at steps to help address those challenges."

According to the governor's office, the decision was reached after consulting with state health experts, and King County officials indicated they would implement the bans immediately.

King County Executive Dow Constantine said the new public health order would apply to all restaurants, bars, dance halls, clubs, theaters, fitness clubs and other recreational centers until March 31, 2020. According to Constantine's office, grocery stores, banks, gas stations, hardware stores and other retail establishments will remain open, as long as they adhere to an earlier public health directive.

"It is time, right now, for people to assume that they and everyone they meet is infected, to avoid unnecessary interactions that might lead to further infection, and to wait and monitor to see if they have in fact been infected so that they can isolate and recover without presenting a risk to others," Constantine said. "Go to work if you must. But hunker down if you are able."

Seattle-based Starbucks announced Sunday it would close some locations and transition the majority of its stores in the U.S. and Canada to a "to-go only" format, with no indoor or outdoor seating.

Related: 'Don't Buy More Than You Need,' Washington Health Officials Urge

Washington's restrictions follow orders in Illinois and Ohio mandating statewide bar and restaurant closures Sunday. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced similar actions Sunday evening, permitting take-out orders, but shuttering all nightclubs, theaters, bars and in-person dining.

Inslee's office said more details on the specifics of the closure order would be released during a press briefing Monday morning.