OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee announced the partial reopening of outdoor recreation activities during a press conference Monday, including fishing, hunting and golf. The restrictions lift on May 5.
Starting next week, day use of state parks, public lands, fish and wildlife areas will be allowed as long as proper social distancing is practiced. Inslee said that if people are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, they should still stay home.
“This is not a return to normal today,” Inslee said. “The virus is too rampant to allow that.”
When golfing, people can only play with one person from outside their household, but four can play if from the same household.
Public gatherings, events, team sports and camping are not included in the partial lifting of outdoor activities.
“Data not dates determine how we react,” Inslee emphasized.
The news conference comes after dozens of boats with fishermen filled Lake Union Sunday, demanding the governor lift the ban on fishing during his stay-at-home order.
They said they should be allowed to pursue the sport they have already paid fees to enjoy.
The fishermen said fishing, by its nature, is a sport of social distance; they were angry that the governor’s order is keeping them from the sport they love.
“Our customers are incredibly important to us and we know the imposition these closures bring,” said Kelly Susewind, the state’s Fish and Wildlife director, in a video posted nearly a month ago. Susewind explained why he was shutting down fishing and hunting in response to COVID-19. “We make these decisions to protect you and the communities across Washington State.”
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