Washington State Issues Advisory Urging Travelers to Quarantine for Two Weeks

On November 13, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington State recommending a 14-day quarantine for all persons entering the state and encouraging residents to stay close to home. Governor Inslee joined California Governor Gavin Newsom and Oregon Governor 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.” The Washington quarantine recommendation does not apply to individuals engaging in essential travel for work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.

Despite sharply rising numbers of COVID-19–positive cases in the United States, the federal government has not issued domestic travel restrictions. Nearly half of the states in the United States—including California, Oregon, and Washington—and some municipalities are again issuing some form of quarantine recommendation or requirement related to travel to combat the increased spread of COVID-19.

Ogletree Deakins will continue to monitor and report on developments with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and will post updates in the firm’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center as additional information becomes available. Important information for employers is also available via the firm’s webinar programs and podcasts.