SEATTLE — People who violate Gov. Inslee’s stay-at-home order issued Monday are subject to criminal prosecution for a gross misdemeanor.
If you leave your home and go out it must be for legitimate reasons, but law enforcement we’ve heard from say prosecution is the last resort.
Law enforcement statewide will continue patrols during the order, but they are not putting the state on lockdown.
Instead, they plan to respond with restraint to situations they encounter. People will not be rounded up.
“Hey, I wanted to quash some rumors going around Washington state that troopers are specifically stopping cars to question and interrogate people about where they are going, what they are doing or if they are essential employees. That is not true,” Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Thorson said in a video.
Pasco police posted rules on Facebook saying you can go outside to take a walk or a bike ride.
You do not need a permit or a not infected verification, and you should not call in to report your neighbor walking his dog, or someone driving their car.
Calling 911 is still reserved for emergencies, and authorities will be responding to them. People should not call 911 for every large group they see.
Police and Inslee said the stay-at-home order is about people working together to stop the spread of the virus.