OLYMPIA - Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to announce next steps to reopen fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation at today’s 2:30 p.m. press conference, according to a spokesperson with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Inslee will be joined this afternoon by Hilary Franz, commissioner of public lands, Kelly Susewind, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Fishing and other outdoor recreation activities, though relatively solitary activities, were banned March 25 due to concerns by public health officials that people traveling across the state to engage in those activities could be potentially spreading the novel coronavirus, Inslee has previously said. Public state lands have also been closed to the public in recent weeks.

The press conference follows protests across the state over the weekend, including a Saturday morning protest in Moses Lake, demanding that state officials lift restrictions on fishing.