COVID-19 mandated closures in Washington

As restaurants open for last day of normal operations, a sense of confusion and dread sets in.

Section:Gallery

Mon., March 16, 2020

Chairs are stacked on tables in Riverpark Square's foodcourt, though food was still available for takeout, on Monday, March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease, with the exception of takeout and delivery options, in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Joile Forral, owner of Bruncheonette near the Spokane County Courthouse, had an empty seating area mid-morning, Monday, March 16, 2020, when normally it would be nearly full. Gov. Jay Inslee ordered Washington restaurants and bars closed to fight the COVID-19.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The chairs and tables of Atticus are gathered closely together to prevent patrons from staying on Monday, March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. the day after Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease, with the exception of takeout and delivery options in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Employees were still present to serve customers and clean the furniture.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The chairs and tables of Atticus are gathered together to prevent patrons from staying on Monday, March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. the day after Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease, with the exception of takeout and delivery options in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Employees were still present to serve customers and clean the furniture.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The AMC at Riverpark Square is temporarily closed for business on Monday, March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. The closure came the day after Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants , entertainment and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease; though AMC had implemented a rule wherein a theater was considered sold out if 50 percent of seats were purchased.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A sign on the door of the closed Sushi.com in downtown Spokane is seen on Monday, March 16, 2020, the day after Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease, with the exception of takeout and delivery options. There is no end date set for the closures of these establishiments like there is for public schools, and measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus have reached new heights.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Sushi Maru in Riverpark Square is closed to the public on Monday, March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. the day after Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease, with the exception of takeout and delivery options. There is no end date set for the closures of these establishiments like there is for public schools, and measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus have reached new heights.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The marquee of the Bing Crosby Theater reads "all shows postponed, check website" on the reverse side, as this side simply says "stay well" on March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. Previously, Governor Jay Inslee ordered all gatherings of 250 people or more to cease, but yesterday announced a more drastic measure to order gatherings of 50 people or more to stop,, including entertainment venues.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The bar at Tomato Street's Riverpark Square location is viewed through a window on Monday, March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. the day after Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease, with the exception of takeout and delivery options. There is no end date set for the closures of these establishiments like there is for public schools, and measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus have reached new heights.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A sign urges members of the public to practice social distancing is seen at the Plaza in downtown Spokane on Monday. Most waiting areas in the Plaza were closed to the public on Tuesday morning.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A quiet West Main Avenue is seen around 2 p.m.on Monday, March 16, 2020 in downtown Spokane, Wash. the day after Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered all bars, restarants and gatherings of 50 or more people to cease, with the exception of takeout and delivery options. Completely closed or partially functioning restaraunts and coffee shops seemed to reduce the foot and vehicle traffic downtown.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Customers sit in a dining area of Cafe Cosmos in downtown Seattle, Sunday, March 15, 2020. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday night that he would order all bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation facilities in the state to temporarily close to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Inslee said that restaurants could continue take-out and delivery services, the owner of the cafe said he would continue to offer take-out coffee and other food.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
A man uses his elbow to open the door as he walks out of a Domino's Pizza restaurant in downtown Seattle as a delivery driver walks in, Sunday, March 15, 2020. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday night that he would order all bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation facilities in the state to temporarily close to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Inslee said that restaurants could continue take-out and delivery services.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
A man works out in a gym at an apartment building in downtown Seattle, Sunday, March 15, 2020. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday night that he would order all bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation facilities in the state to temporarily close to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
A delivery driver leaves a Domino's Pizza restaurant in downtown Seattle on a bike, Sunday, March 15, 2020. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday night that he would order all bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation facilities in the state to temporarily close to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Inslee said that restaurants could continue take-out and delivery services.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
Tyler Baldwin mops the floor after closing for the night at the Taproom at Pike Place, Sunday, March 15, 2020 where he works as a bartender in Seattle. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday night that he would order all bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation facilities in the state to temporarily close to fight the spread of coronavirus, as Washington state has by far the most deaths in the U.S. from the disease. Baldwin said he closed more than an hour early Sunday after he heard the announcement.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press