Executive Constantine transmits emergency legislation to fund child care services for first responders, others
King County Executive Dow Constantine sent legislation to the King County Council on March 30 proposing the release of $2.2 million in funding from Sound Transit educational taxes to provide emergency child care to first responders and other essential workers who live or work in King County.

King County postpones payment deadline to June 1 for individual property taxpayers
Individual residential and commercial taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves, rather than through their mortgage lender, can delay payment until June 1, 2020 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Banks and other financial institutions that pay property taxes on behalf of their lending customers will still need to meet the original April 30 deadline.

Executive Constantine releases statement on Institute for Disease Modeling report on COVID-19 spread
Executive Constantine released the following statement on the IDM report on COVID-19 spread:

King County and Seattle expand COVID-19 emergency shelter and housing response
Facing an unprecedented public health crisis, King County and the City of Seattle are working with partners across the region to create additional shelter space and a range of temporary housing options for people who are unable to isolate and recover in their own homes, or do not have a home. These actions will help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the region and preserve critical hospital beds for the most acutely ill.

King County releases new health and safety guidelines to child care providers
Public Health Seattle & King County announced additional guidance for child care and early learning programs that are considered part of the essential workforce. In addition, King County will expand support services to providers.

Quickly, safely reducing the jail population so staff can ensure the health of everyone in correctional facilities
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced a series of actions to quickly and safely decrease the number of adults who are in correctional facilities to provide single bunks for everyone who is in custody as recommended by Public Health – Seattle & King County.

Statement by Executive Constantine on closure of West Seattle Bridge
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement on the closure of the West Seattle Bridge by the Seattle Department of Transportation:

King County joins with Harborview Medical Center to open COVID-19 recovery site
King County has joined with Harborview Medical Center to repurpose Harborview Hall to serve as an 45-bed COVID-19 recovery site primarily focused on helping the most vulnerable in our community.

King County Metro to discontinue fare collections, direct riders to board buses at rear doors, beginning March 21
To promote social distancing and support the health of transit employees and the riding public, King County Metro on March 21, 2020, will discontinue fare collections until further notice and direct riders to board and exit at the rear doors of buses only, if they are able.

King County and City of Seattle close playgrounds and sports courts, parks and trails users directed to follow social distancing guidelines
As part of its evolving response to the COVID-19 outbreak and with guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County, King County Parks and Seattle Parks and Recreation are closing active recreation areas in parks, including sports courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and other areas where essential social distancing guidelines are difficult to achieve.

Executive Constantine and King County Health Officer announce new orders to limit spread of COVID-19
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Dr. Jeff Duchin announced a series of steps governing bars, restaurants, events, and other gatherings in King County.

Executive Constantine statement on actions to slow COVID-19 spread
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement after Public Health Seattle & King County announced new actions to fight the COVID-19 outbreak:

Executive Office statement on Kent isolation and recovery facility
The Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement after a King County Superior Court judge denied a temporary restraining order against King County filed by the City of Kent, with conditions:

Stadium worker tests positive for COVID-19; Professional sporting events to continue in King County, with patrons urged to follow public health guidelines
A part-time employee at CenturyLink Field who worked at the Feb. 22 Seattle Dragons game has tested positive for COVID-19, though risk to fans who attended is low, according to county health officials. As of now, Seattle’s professional sports organizations – Dragons, First & Goal/Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders FC – will continue with scheduled events. The teams are in touch with local health officials and their respective leagues on a regular basis.