Washington on target for reopening June 30, Inslee says. But there is 1 exception

Washington state will reopen, with one exception, on June 30 or earlier, Gov. Jay Inslee confirmed at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.

Limits on capacity will be lifted for all businesses, except for large indoor event venues.

Venues that can accommodate 10,000 or more people will continue to be restricted to 75% capacity as a precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19.

However, other businesses, including restaurants, bars, theaters and fitness centers, will no longer be limited to 50% of capacity.

Inslee has said that he could lift restrictions before June 30 if at least 70% of people age 16 and older in the state have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and that could still happen.

Early indications are that the lottery drawings — plus higher education financial aid, game systems and tickets for sporting events and air travel — that vaccinated state residents could win this month are increasing the number of people being vaccinated, he said.

“We have seen a uptick in appointments for vaccinations since the lottery went into effect,” Inslee said. “Monday saw the largest single day vaccine appointments booked over the last two weeks.”

The first drawing was done on Tuesday, but winners had not been made public as of Wednesday afternoon.

Vaccination rates rising

In Washington state 66% of people ages 16 and older have received at least an initial dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, he said.

Seattle has surpassed that with 70% of residents ages 12 and older vaccinated, making it the most vaccinated large city in the United States, Inslee said.

Although the state appears to be on track to meet the 70% goal set by the governor by at least June 30, Inslee will reopen on that date even if the goal is not met.

Inslee said he is still comfortable with reopening the state then even if the goal has not been reached because the increasing vaccination rate is keeping Washington residents safer, including reducing the number of people hospitalized.

“We have saved hundreds and thousands of lives,” he said.

In King County in April and May, 98% of people hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment had not been vaccinated, Inslee said. People who are not vaccinated against the disease are 21 times more likely to contract COVID, he said.

Those people who were vaccinated and in the state records base are eligible for the state prizes, which include drawings for payments of $250,000 for four weeks, concluding with a final drawing for $1 million on July 13.

However, records of state people who received COVID-19 vaccinations through the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense are not in the state database.

Inslee said the state is committed to making sure those people are included in some incentive program, but has not worked out the details.

“They are owed that and we are going to make sure they get that,” he said.

The governor postponed full reopening of large indoor venues beyond June 30 because large gatherings, particularly those indoors, have a significantly greater risk of spreading disease than smaller events.

He will re-evaluate the remaining restriction on large indoor event venues by the end of July, he said.

Physical distancing will not be required at those venues after June 30, but face masks will be.

The state is expected to continue to require masks in public places for people who are not vaccinated after June 30.

▪ Also on Wednesday, Inslee announced the naming of a long-time Washington state government employee to lead the state’s unemployment agency.

Cami Feek, acting commissioner of the state Employment Security Department since February, now has the position officially.

This story was originally published June 9, 2021 at 3:36 PM with the headline "Washington on target for reopening June 30, Inslee says. But there is 1 exception."