Governor announces plans for four phases of re-opening

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Washington governor Jay Inslee extended the state’s stay-at-home order through May 31 and announced a four-phase plan to re-open the state, beginning Tuesday, May 5.

Each phase allows additional categories of businesses to open and increases the size of social gatherings allowed. The first phase, however, does not allow any social gatherings, but re-opens some recreational activities and some low-risk businesses.

 Inslee didn’t announce dates for the rest of the phases or announce criteria for when phases will begin, but said that each phase will be at least three weeks. That would mean the second phase won’t begin until at least May 26 and the fourth phase, which allows nearly everything to re-open but recommends high risk populations still take precautions, could begin July 28 if everything goes right.

 The state will make decisions about moving from phase to phase based on disease activity, the ability to test and perform contact tracing, risk to vulnerable populations, and health care system ability and readiness, Inslee said at an April 29 press briefing. “There is no one number that is a magic number that can guide our actions,” he said.

Beginning May 5, more recreation is allowed in the state, including some hunting, fishing, golf and much more access to public lands. Most state parks, including Birch Bay State Park, Peace Arch Historical State Park, Patos Island Park and Larrabee State Park, will re-open.

Some smaller counties not hit hard by the virus can apply for a variance to move through the phases quicker. Currently, 10 counties are eligible and Whatcom doesn’t make the list. Eligible counties all have less than 30 confirmed cases and zero deaths. Whatcom County has 319 confirmed cases and 27 have died from the virus.

Here are some highlights about what can re-open in each phase:

Phase 1 (beginning May 5)

- Some outdoor recreation

- Drive-in spiritual service with one household per vehicle

- Landscaping, car sales, car washes, pet walkers and retail businesses (with curb-side pick-up orders only)

Phase 2

- All outdoor recreation with fewer than five people outside your household can resume

- Gatherings with no more than five people outside of your household are allowed.

- Limited nonessential travel near home

- All remaining manufacturing businesses, new construction, retail with in-store purchases (with restrictions), hair and nail salons/barbers, restaurants at 50 percent capacity, and many other businesses can reopen

 Phase 3

- Gatherings of up to 50.

- Sports with less than 50 people can resume. Public pools and other recreational facilities can reopen at 50 percent capacity

- Non-essential travel

- Restaurants can open at 75 percent capacity, bars at 25 percent, indoor gyms and movie theaters at 50 percent.

- Telework remains strongly encouraged, but all businesses except for nightclubs and events with greater than 50 people can reopen.

 Phase 4

- Gatherings of more than 50

- All recreation can resume

- Night clubs, concert venues and large sporting events

 Learn more about the phased re-opening and see detailed descriptions of each phase at governor.wa.gov. Click “Inslee signs new Covid-10 order for phased re-opening of Washington’s economy,” under the “What’s Happening Now” tab.

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