Mar 23, 2020 - Health

Washington issues statewide stay-at-home order

Washington state governor Jay Inslee talks at a press conference about the coronavirus outbreak March 16, 2020 in Seattle, Washington.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee at a press conference about the coronavirus outbreak, March 16. Photo: Erika Schultz-Pool/Getty Images

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced via Twitter Monday evening that he's issued a stay-at-home order, effective immediately, to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Details: "This order is enforceable by law, but the legal penalties are not what should convince people to follow these orders," Inslee tweeted. "The real penalty may be the loss of a loved one to COVID-19. There are 110 Washington families who can tell you what the pain of that loss feels like."

  • Exceptions to the order include grocery shopping, doctor appointments and essential work duty.

The big picture: Inslee announced the move as President Trump suggested physical distancing restrictions will be lifted "fairly soon."

Other states that issued stay-at-home orders:

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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