Latest News on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Last Updated April 13, 2021 at 5:20 PM
Everyone must remain committed to the fight against COVID-19 with more variants in circulation and cases on the rise.
Gov. Inslee announced Pierce County doesn’t meet requirements to remain in Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington–Roadmap to Recovery plan. We’ll move back to Phase 2 effective April 16. The next evaluation is May 3. Read more in this news release.
Inslee announces extension of eviction moratorium, expansion of vaccine eligibility, long-term care visitations may resume
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that *the statewide eviction moratorium will be extended through June 30, as well as upcoming vaccine eligibility expansion, including restaurant workers and Washingtonians 60 and older. He also announced that effective immediately, visitations at long-term care facilities and nursing homes may resume.
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.
Department of Health adopting CDC guidance on safe behaviors post-vaccine
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is adopting the guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding post-vaccine behavior.
If someone has been fully vaccinated, they can:
- Gather indoors with fully vaccinated people in private residences without wearing a mask and,
- Gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household in private residences (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
The CDC is quite clear that vaccinated people should continue to wear masks when they're in public, avoid crowds and take other precautions when gathering with unvaccinated people who are at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
Tacoma Partners with Pierce County to Expand Rental Assistance Program-Applications Open March 8, 2021
There are documents and information you can start collecting now to prepare for submission. Additional information may need to be collected by the provider upon intake to determine eligibility, but before you start the application you should have:
- Household information, including birthdays, for all household members
- Income verification for all household members for each income source including 2020 tax return for entire household OR household W-2's, Unemployment statements, Alimony, child support, disability, retirement or VA benefits, Current or past pay stubs
- COVID impact documentation including Proof of unemployment, Loss of wages, Loss of job, Unexpected increase in costs of childcare, etc.
- Landlord name, email and phone number
- Copy of lease or rental agreement
- Statement from landlord with past due balance
- If you're requesting utility assistance, provide copies of past due utility bills
Utilities paid directly to your landlord will need to be included in the rent past due amount and a payment will be made to the landlord directly.
Apply Now for the Rental Assistance Program
In keeping with the City’s Welcoming Cities Policy, we will not be tracking or providing information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement about immigration or citizenship status.
Contact Information for the Rental Assistance Program
Visit piercecountywa.gov/housinghelp for more information about the program, eligibility and how to apply.
We are in Phase 2 of reopening.
Gov. Inslee released updated guidance to the "Healthy Washington—Roadmap to Recovery plan."
Beginning Feb. 1, restrictions on social gatherings and some businesses will relax as part of Phase 2.
Among the changes:
- Pierce County indoor dining available 25% capacity, alcohol service and delivery and consumption must end at 11 p.m. close.
- All other indoor activities, including religious and faith-based services must follow a 25% capacity limit.
- Indoor and outdoor sports are permitted to hold league games and competitions, (no tournaments) maximum 200 including spectators.
- Outdoor entertaining may host groups of up to 15 with the two-household limit.
- Wedding and funeral ceremonies and indoor receptions may take place following the appropriate venue requirements.
City of Tacoma Launches Resurgence Business Loan Program in Support of Tacoma’s Small Businesses on January 27, 2021
In ongoing efforts to help local businesses during this COVID-related economic downturn, the City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department has launched a Resurgence Business Loan Program. This low-interest loan program is made possible by a Revolving Loan Fund award of $1,170,000 to the City from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Through the Resurgence Business Loan Program, applicants may request to borrow up to $25,000 and will not have to make payments until 2022. Neither collateral nor equity is required. Learn more at makeittacoma.com/resurgenceloan.
Inslee announces "Healthy Washington–Roadmap to Recovery"
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced “Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery,” a COVID-19 phased recovery plan. Beginning on January 11, the state will follow a regional recovery approach with every region starting in Phase 1.
Eviction Moratorium Extended Through March 31, 2021
Governor Jay Inslee extended protections for renters as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide. The governor first proclaimed a moratorium on evictions in mid-March, then extended it in April, August and most recently in December 2020. For information about the State's housing and food resources, visit the State's Coronavirus web page.
Inslee announces additional COVID-19 financial support
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional financial support funds for families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor was joined by Lisa Brown, Department of Commerce director, for the announcement.
In addition to funds announced on Sunday, the total new economic supports amount to $135 million. Included in that total is:
- $70 million in business support grants.
- $30 million for the recovery loan program.
- $20 million for rental assistance.
- $15 million for energy bills for low-income households.
Find more information on available business assistance here.
City of Tacoma Launches ‘Celebrate Tacoma’
-- Searchable Database Encourages Support of Tacoma Businesses--
The City of Tacoma has launched
Celebrate Tacoma, a searchable database of businesses that sell directly to consumers and are licensed and located within Tacoma’s city limits. Celebrate Tacoma highlights restaurants, local retailers and service businesses that have been especially hard hit by COVID-19.
To be included in Celebrate Tacoma, local retail, restaurant, café and service businesses are invited to participate in a
brief survey.
Businesses involved in selling guns, sexual products/services, gambling products restricted by federal law including cannabis, or tobacco products/ electronic cigarettes as well as those located outside Tacoma city limits will be unable to be featured in Celebrate Tacoma. The database is informational only and does not represent a recommendation or endorsement by the City.
The Celebrate Tacoma database, as well as other resources supporting Tacoma’s businesses, are available at
MakeitTacoma.com.
Inslee Issues Travel Advisory for Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington on November 13, 2020, recommending a 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel and asks residents to stay close to home. Inslee joined California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus.
City of Tacoma Coronavirus Relief Fund Allocations to Date (August 20, 2020)
The City Manager's Office prepared a summary of the COVID-19-related funding sources available and how the City has allocated the funding to date. Read the City Manager's Memorandum to the Mayor and City Council.
Face Covering Requirements for Businesses Extends Statewide-Businesses Cannot Allow In or Serve Customers Not Wearing a Face Covering
Governor Jay Inslee announced that no business may operate, allow a customer to enter a business, or conduct in-person business with a customer in any public setting unless the customer is wearing a face covering or meets at least one of the exceptions outlined in Order of the Secretary of Health 20-03. The extension went into effect on July 7, 2020.
Inslee Extends Proclamation Protecting High-Risk Workers (June 9, 2020)
Governor Jay Inslee announced the extension of a proclamation giving high-risk workers the right to protect themselves from COVID-19 without jeopardizing their employment status or loss of income. The proclamation provides older workers and those with underlying health conditions a series of rights and protections, including:
- The choice of an alternative work assignment, including telework, alternative or remote work locations if feasible, and social distancing measures.
- The ability to use any accrued leave or unemployment benefits if an alternative work assignment is not feasible and the employee is unable to safely work. Employers must maintain health insurance benefits while high risk employees are off the job.
- Employers are prohibited from permanently replacing high-risk employees.
Read the Governor's Proclamation for more information.
The City of Tacoma Establishes Rental Assistance Fund (May 13, 2020)
In response to a request from the community to establish a way for people to donate to the rental assistance program, we have opened the City of Tacoma Rental Assistance Fund with the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. Donations can now be made to the Rental Housing Fund to increase the amount of funding available for people who need rental housing assistance because of COVID-19 impacts. If you'd like to donate, visit our Compassionate Tacoma web page.
Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Disclosure: As a fund of Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, the Community Foundation has the authority to redirect distributions from the City of Tacoma Rental Assistance Fund if it becomes necessary to protect donor intent. Greater Tacoma Community Foundation (Tax ID #91-1007459) is located in Tacoma, WA and is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program. Additional information about the Community Foundation’s status is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities.