Coronavirus fears end public bill signings at Capitol
The Associated Press | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee won't be holding any more public bill signings, citing concerns about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
The total number of deaths from COVID-19 in Washington is now at least 23, and health officials report at least 169 cases in the state.
In a message to lawmakers and legislative staff on Monday, Inslee's legislative director, Drew Shirk, said the move was due "to the extraordinary circumstances to protect the public’s health from COVID-19."
"This is one extra precaution we’re taking to maintain public health standards and minimize COVID-19 exposure in large, social settings," he wrote.
Media who RSVP may attend the signings, as can the primary sponsor of the bill and the primary sponsor of the companion bill. Legislative members who RSVP may also bring a guest, as long as they RSVP as well. The public can still watch the bill signings live on TVW.
The 60-day legislative session ends Thursday, though bill signings will continue for the next few weeks.
ARTICLES BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Latest: US helped family escape Afghanistan overland
WASHINGTON — The United States is confirming for the first time that it has helped a U.S. citizen and family members to escape Afghanistan through an overland route to a neighboring country.
The Latest: US helped family escape Afghanistan overland
WASHINGTON — The United States is confirming for the first time that it has helped a U.S. citizen and family members to escape Afghanistan through an overland route to a neighboring country.
The Latest: Top Republican says Taliban holding Americans
WASHINGTON — The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee says some Americans who have been trying to get out of Afghanistan since the U.S. military left are sitting in airplanes at an airport ready to leave but the Taliban are not letting them take off.