SNOHOMISH — The city of Snohomish canceled all nonessential meetings, and Snohomish, Monroe and Everett schools closed in response to state orders to take action to avoid spreading COVID-19.
The virus has spread worldwide and organizations are reacting to find ways to reduce its impact. Officials say it is more deadly than influenza. COVID-19 does not have any proven treatments to date.
The city of Snohomish coordinated with health district officials to slow the spread of COVID-19, canceling “all nonessential public meetings and special events” through April 15, including the annual Easter Parade.
Public access to Snohomish City Hall closed beginning March 16, and city restrooms and parks closed on March 12.
The Snohomish Police Department lobby will be closed to the public until approximately April 6, the city said.
On Monday, March 16, Gov. Jay Inslee ordered a two-week stop to all indoor dining at restaurants and bars to March 31, and this could be extended at a further date. Recreational and entertainment facilities are also shut down under the order.
The order does not close grocery stores or pharmacies.
Childcare and day care facilities will remain open.
Theaters, barbershops, beauty salons, and nail salons are closed, as are bars and coffee shops. Fitness clubs, gyms, swimming pool centers, dancehalls and similar facilities are ordered closed, too.
Under the order, restaurants can continue take-out, curbside pickup and delivery services.
Other retail outlets will have reduced occupancy, and will be required to have someone on staff to maintain social distancing rules, Inslee said at a press conference on the regulations.
Additionally, Inslee tightened prohibitions on gatherings of more than 50 people, and set requirements that any gathering under 50 people must follow social distancing and hygiene criteria.
Last week, the limit was gatherings of no more than 250 people.
Inslee last week ordered all schools statewide be closed through Friday, April 24 to help contain the outbreak.
Snohomish City Council meetings may be canceled or conducted in an abbreviated format through April 15: the city is in the process of developing a remote-access option for some council members. The health district is fully equipped for remote status, and has implemented that action recently.
All board and commission meetings in Snohomish, including the Midtown Planning District meeting, are canceled.
The Tribune is receiving numerous cancellation notices for both meetings and events.
This list of canceled events in Snohomish is not all-inclusive:
• State of the City, March 19
• Midtown Planning District Task Force, first meeting, March 31
• The Residential Household Clean-up, April 4
• City Council meeting, April 7
• Coffee with the Mayor, April 10
• Easter Parade and Street Fair, April 11
• Engage Snohomish, April 15
• Citywide Park Clean-up, May 2
Remember to check in advance to find out if an event is still scheduled. Many agencies are bringing their events and meetings to the Internet to practice social distancing of staying away from others.
Other public closures:
• All Sno-Isle libraries have closed until an undetermined time. During the closure, library customers will be able to keep currently checked-out materials and their holds on new materials will be extended. Sno-Isle libraries does not have fines for overdue library materials.
• The Everett Police South Precinct is closed to the public through April 30.
• The Imagine Children’s Museum announced it will be closed until March 31.
• Snohomish County PUD has closed its offices. People who pay in person can call 425-783-1000 to pay bills or conduct other business. People may also pay online at www.snopud.com/snopay or by mail.
Everett Libraries ensures availability
EVERETT — Both Everett Public Library branches are closed until at least March 31. Though facilities will be closed to the public, library services will continue including two new pilot service models: curbside pickup and home delivery.
It notes that library card holders can access a variety of resources online through the library, including e-books, audiobooks, digital magazines, movies, music and more.
The library also plans to soon start a home delivery service. Items will be delivered within 48 hours on weekdays.
More information on the pickup and home delivery programs is at www. epls.org/wecare , or call 425-257-8000.
