Update – 6 p.m. Monday, March 23

Additional mayors across King County have added their names to the list. The mayors of Des Moines (Matt Pina), Covington (Jeff Wagner), Black Diamond (Carol Benson), Maple Valley (Sean P. Kelly) and the Chair of the Muckleshoot Tribe (Jaison Elkins) are urging residents to stay indoors and follow the state’s social distancing order.

Original story

Mayors from South King County cities have issued a joint statement that urges residents to follow proper social distancing measures during the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to a memo posted Sunday (March 22), the mayors of Auburn (Nancy Backus), Kent (Dana Ralph), Federal Way (Jim Ferrell), Renton (Armando Pavone), Tukwila (Allan Ekberg), Enumclaw (Jan Molinaro), Algona (David Hill) and Pacific (Leanne Guier) have declared their communities will “take further action” if residents are not following best practices to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

“As your local elected officials, we may take additional steps to protect our communities and mandate those best practices issued by health professionals are followed,” the memo said. “The most imperative practice to reduce the spread of this virus is to stay home and avoid contact with others.”

The memo said residents can follow best practices by staying home unless necessary and avoiding non-essential outings. Other best practices include only visiting stores for necessary purchases, only purchasing reasonable amounts of basic products while leaving enough in the stores for others, and avoiding gatherings in groups, even outside, according to the memo.

“Residents and visitors to our communities are still not fully recognizing those best practices,” the memo said, crediting those best practices to guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control, the state Department of Health and King County Public Health.

In a request for comment as to how his city would “take further action,” Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell issued the following statement:

“This letter underscores the partnership and collaboration of South King County cities as we work together to protect our neighbors and families. It also serves to illustrate that we are in this together and we are counting on our neighbors and friends to do the right things for the overall health of our community. I believe in the people of this community and I know we are going to get through this together.”

Joint statement from the mayors of Auburn, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Tukwila, Enumclaw, Algona and Pacific was issued Sunday, March 22, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Courtesy of City of Kent