Thurston County gets state’s OK to move to Phase 3 of reopening from COVID-19 closures
Thurston County is now in Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s four-phase plan to reopen the economy from shutdowns prompted by COVID-19, after it received approval from the state Wednesday morning.
The approval letter from Secretary of Health John Wiesman arrived just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, County Manager Ramiro Chavez told The Olympian. The county submitted its application one week prior.
“Moving into Phase 3, is the result of, I believe, all the sacrifices the community has gone through in making sure that we address the pandemic, but also, I don’t believe that moving into Phase 3 is a green light just to go back to normal,” Chavez said in a phone interview. “We need to continue to practice physical distancing, we need to wash our hands and everything else. And, most of all, we need to start wearing masks as the Governor’s order stated.”
Gov. Jay Inslee has announced that facial coverings will be mandatory statewide in public places, with some exceptions, starting Friday. His four-phase “Safe Start” plan also includes guidance that individuals should — in all phases — stay at least 6 feet away from other people, stay home if sick, avoid people who are sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and regularly disinfect surfaces and objects.
The letter from Wiesman, addressed to Thurston County Public Health Director Schelli Slaughter, states that the following activities and business services are now permitted in Thurston County:
- Recreation: Outdoor group recreational sports activities of 50 or fewer people; recreational facilities at less than 50% capacity (gyms, public pools, etc.), and professional sports without audience participation (horse racing, baseball, etc.)
Gatherings: Gatherings with no more than 50 people.
Travel: Non-essential travel is permitted.
Businesses/employers: Restaurants and taverns at less than 75% capacity and table sizes no larger than 10; bar areas in restaurants and taverns at less than 25% capacity; movie theaters at less than 50% capacity; customer-facing government services (but telework still strongly encouraged); libraries; museums; all other business activities not yet listed except for nightclubs and events with more than 50 people.
Businesses in Phase 3 are required to comply with state guidance to reopen. All businesses operating in Phase 3 are required to write safety plans that outline how the workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. A template for the plans, which businesses will need to keep on-hand, is on the governor’s website.
People in high-risk populations, such as people age 65 or older or with underlying medical conditions, are “strongly encouraged to limit their participation in these Phase 3 activities and business services,” according to the letter.
Nearby Lewis, Mason, and Grays Harbor counties had already moved to Phase 3. Pierce County remains in Phase 2. As of Wednesday morning, three counties in Washington state are in Phase 1, two are in a modified Phase 1, 17 are in Phase 2, and 17 are in Phase 3, according to the state Department of Health.
Wiesman can revoke approval if circumstances change in a county, the letter reads, such as “significant community transmission,” or insufficient protective supplies. Gov. Inslee also can re-impose restrictions.
The state hasn’t decided on a timeline for counties to move to Phase 4, according to the letter. Director Slaughter has previously said, barring new guidance from the state, she doesn’t expect to be able to move to Phase 4 until there is a treatment or vaccine for the disease.
County Manager Chavez said the county plans to open its offices next Monday, June 29, and that there will be some changes to how people move about the buildings, such as one-way entrances and exits. More details on what could be the first Board of County Commissioners board meeting since March will be released as next week approaches.
Acting Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu has emphasized that a successful move to Phase 3 requires diligence and caution from the community.
“I want to be very clear and remind everyone, Phase 3 does not mean life as usual,” Yu wrote in a letter to the community this week. “We need to continue to weigh our risks and make safe choices.”
This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 10:02 AM.
.jpg)