March 11 Update on Kirkland's Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

Published on March 11, 2020

KIRKLAND, Wash. – The City continues to operate its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate our response to the presence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.

Update on First Responders

The Kirkland Fire and Police Departments remain fully staffed and responding to calls as normal.  City first responders have CDC recommended personal protection equipment and are following recommended protocols. We are in the process of working to confirm the release of additional firefighters from quarantine and we’ll be able to provide updated numbers in the morning on Thursday, March 12. Thank you for your patience while we work through our process.

While the City appreciates the outpouring of support and concern from the community for our first responders, the City cannot accept donations at this time.

Update on Guidance from the State and County

Under the order of the Governor:

Events with more than 250 attendees are prohibited.

In addition, the local health officer provided the direction that public events with fewer than 250 attendees are prohibited, unless event organizers can take steps to minimize risk. Event organizers must ensure that:

  • Older and vulnerable individuals have been encouraged not to attend
  • Recommendations for social distancing and limiting close contact are met
  • Employees or volunteers leading an event are screened for symptoms each day
  • Proper hand washing, sanitation, and cleaning is readily available
  • Environmental cleaning guidelines are followed (e.g., clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily or more frequently)

Additional guidance will be forthcoming shortly for how private events with fewer than 250 attendees can comply with this order, as well as for retail and services.

For the purposes of the Order, an “event” is a gathering for business, social, or recreational activities including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities.

More information is available on the Public Health Seattle-King County website.

Update from Lake Washington School District

The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has been following guidance from Public Health in an effort to stay open as long as possible. In light of the current information shared today by elected officials, LWSD has made the decision to close all schools from March 12 through March 27, and re-evaluate any further closures during that time.

On Thursday and Friday, LWSD will be planning for an alternative model with the following services:

  • Available childcare during school hours for families who are not able to remain home or serve in critical community roles such as healthcare and first responders.
  • Available meals for children provided at school sites – details to follow.
  • Available educational resources with supports for at-home learning.

For more information visit the Lake Washington School District website.

Update on City Operations

Following current direction from Public Health—Seattle & King County, and our ongoing needs to have the capacity to staff our emergency operations center we have concluded that the City will be cancelling all City evening meetings except for City Council meetings until the end of March. This includes Commissions, Boards, and all Neighborhood Association meetings. The City of Kirkland Passport Office will be closed from Monday, March 9th through Friday, March 20th.

The City of Kirkland has also cancelled most recreation programming and classes and closed community centers to the public through Tuesday, March 31.

The Kirkland Municipal Court is under the jurisdiction of Presiding Judge John Olson, and the City has been working closely with him and Court Administrator Tracy Jeffries. After carefully reviewing what other local, State and Federal Courts have done in response to the COVID-19 virus, Judge Olson has decided that the Municipal Court will be implementing the following modifications to their current court schedule:

  1. No jury trials will be held in March. Any jury trial currently scheduled for March will be continued to April.
  2. Probation appointments will be conducted by phone instead of in-person.
  3. The Leadership and Community Court meetings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will be postponed indefinitely.
  4. The Court will continue to grant continuances to anyone feeling uncomfortable coming to the Court because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

More information and full list of recommendations are available from Public Health—Seattle & King County  https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2020/March/4-covid-recommendations.aspx

The City will continue to update its website with information on the COVID-19 outbreak. 

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