PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he is relying on data to decide when to reopen Washington.

He held a press conference on Wednesday with the latest update on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, saying rapid testing, isolation and contact tracing are some of the efforts needed to be implemented before social distancing measures can be relaxed.

“We have to remain committed for some period of time to this social distancing strategy,” he said. He stressed that social distancing measures need to remain in place in order to keep the number of infections down.

“We’re not at a level where we can take off social distancing, nor are we close to a level where we can take off social distancing,” he said.

“We can control our own destiny. We are not passive victims of this virus, there are things we can do to fight back against it. But we have a lot more to do before we can get to the transition point,” he said.

Social distancing measures remain in place until “at least” May 4, Inslee said.

The press conference comes one day after Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and California Gov. Gavin Newsom held briefings about the criteria needed to re-open the states. Brown, Newsom and Inslee formed a Western States Pact to coordinate their efforts in re-opening the West Coast once the pandemic seems more under control.

Brown describes framework needed to open Oregon’s economy
Democratic governors look to re-openings with compacts

Late Tuesday, Inslee signed 3 proclamations that impact the criminal statute of limitations, renewing commercial driver licenses and protect consumer assets by suspending statutes that permit collection of consumer debt judgments.

“As the COVID-19 situation develops, we must constantly evolve our state systems to ensure that our communities are supported and set up to get through this outbreak,” Inslee said in a statement.