Inslee announces plan to ease restrictions on outdoor recreation across Washington

During a news conference Monday, Inslee said the partial reopening of outdoor recreation will include the use of state parks, state lands and state fish and wildlife areas. Activities that will be allowed to resume include fishing, hunting and playing golf, Inslee said. But, people must continue to follow social distancing orders while taking part in these activities. less During a news conference Monday, Inslee said the partial reopening of outdoor recreation will include the use of state parks, state lands and state fish and wildlife areas. Activities that will be allowed to ... more Photo: Bill Hinton Via Getty Images Photo: Bill Hinton Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 81 Caption Close Inslee announces plan to ease restrictions on outdoor recreation across Washington 1 / 81 Back to Gallery

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Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday announced plans to ease restrictions on outdoor recreation activities in Washington beginning May 5.

During a news conference Monday, Inslee said the partial reopening of outdoor recreation will include the use of some state parks, state lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources and state fish and wildlife areas. Activities that will be allowed to resume include fishing, hunting and playing golf, Inslee said. But, people must continue to follow social distancing orders while taking part in these activities to prevent a rise in the number of novel coronavirus cases.

"We are close to the point in the spread of this virus where we can enjoy the outdoors again," Inslee said during the news conference. "This is a data-driven decision."

Inslee warned if the state sees a rise in the number of cases of the virus, this could change and more restrictions could again be put into place.

"We do know that outdoor recreation is one of the best things people can do to promote health, both physical and mental, during this time of stress and isolation," Inslee said.

Inslee added that this is not, by any means, a "return to normal." He said people need to "limit their partners in outdoor recreation to those who live with them."

"We'll be playing in twosomes for a while, except for when a foursome is all one household," he said.

He emphasized data, not dates, determine how state officials will begin lifting restrictions. Activities that still won't be allowed include public gatherings, events, team sports and camping.

People should also limit unnecessary travel and not make overnight trips, Inslee said.

"We know we need to avoid crowds, even outside," he said.

The announcement comes about five weeks after Inslee first issued a stay-at-home order, closing all nonessential businesses and banning all gatherings.

After the stay-at-home order was issued, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closure of recreational fishing in the state and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and WDFW also announced state-managed parks, wildlife areas and water access areas would also be closing.

This past weekend, a group held a "Let Us Fish" rally at Gas Works Park, arguing it's a healthy activity that doesn't pose harm to others.

Over the past several weeks, local and state officials have said the social distancing measures put into place across the state have been working. But public health experts have warned lifting the orders too early or too quickly could result in another spike in infections and hospitalizations across the state.

Inslee has said orders will likely be gradually phased out, in a similar way as to how they were issued.

Last week, the governor eased restrictions on residential construction. During a news conference Friday, Inslee said building construction could resume, but specified there needed to be strict safety precautions in place, including social distancing and face masks.

"It's going to be a good template as we move forward," Inslee said Friday. "We need to start on a low risk basis."

Inslee's stay-at-home order is technically in effect through May 4, but the governor has said it's likely most restrictions won't be able to be lifted at that point.

As of Monday, the Washington State Department of Health reported 13,521 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 749 deaths.

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