Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday announced a statewide order that requires everyone in the state to stay home. The order will last for two weeks and could be extended.

This Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is similar to orders that other governors, in places such as California and New York, issued last week. The orders are designed in part to slow the spread of covid-19 so that sick patients don't overwhelm hospitals and other medical care.

This proclamation orders:

--Requires every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity.

--Bans all gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes.

--Closes all businesses except essential businesses.

“The less time we spend in public, the more lives we will save,” Inslee said.

The proclamation stated that it’s still safe for people to go outside as long as they remain at least six feet from each other. Grocery stores, doctor’s offices and other essential businesses will remain open. People can still participate in activities such as bike rides, gardening, and dog walking — as long as they follow social distancing rules.

The proclamation states the order goes into effect at midnight on Wednesday, March 25.

Links:

Full transcript of governor's address:

https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/stay-home-stay-healthy-address-transcript

Download a14-page discussion and outline of "essential services":

https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/WA%20Essential%20Critical%20Infrastructure%20Workers%20%28Final%29.pdf