Gov. Jay Inslee announced additional guidance Saturday related to the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation to slow the spread of COVID-19. Inslee also sent a government-to-government letter to Washington’s tribal communities.

Guidance on funerals

In partnership with the governor’s office, the Washington State Department of Licensing 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 6 feet apart.

“We have also received questions about embalming. The governor’s proclamation does not prohibit embalming.”

Read the full letter.

Guidance on real estate transactions

Inslee also 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;

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

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.

Read the full letter.

Letter to tribal governments

The governor sent a letter to tribal governments throughout the state yesterday, as part of government-to-government communications. The letter reads, in part:

“First, none of my Emergency Proclamation orders apply to conduct on tribal lands. Tribal governments, as sovereign nations, are making their own decisions in response to the current COVID-19 emergency.

“Second, constituents have presented several questions to my office regarding individuals who commute to tribal lands or Washington businesses that work on tribal lands. While I have defined essential activities (for purposes of Emergency Proclamation 20-25) in Washington, tribal leaders maintain sovereignty to define essential activity on tribal lands.”

Washington State Department of Health update

Caring for loved ones

Many of us are worried about, or trying to take care of, loved ones who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. Today we released guidance for taking care of someone who is at high risk or is already sick with respiratory illness.

If you are caring for someone who is well now, but at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, there are some steps you can take to help keep them safe.