Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Updates Guidance for Re-Opening State
Washington Governor Jay Inslee continued to update Safe Start guidelines this week, addressing such areas as dine-in restaurants, taverns, in-store retail and additional manufacturing operations. New guidance that was issued as the week rolled along also included resuming personal services and professional services. A statewide contact tracing plan was launched this week, as well by Inslee.
Restaurants or taverns can partially resume service in counties granted variance under the Safe Start Phase 2 recovery plan. “No restaurant or tavern may operate indoor or sit-down services until they can meet and maintain all requirements, including providing materials, schedules and equipment required to comply,” the guidance states.
Last week, the state began allowing many non-essential retail operations to resume during the Covid-19 pandemic, provided customers order online or by phone and pick up purchases from their cars in front of stores. The Governor also approved drive-in religious services and the resumption of car and vessel sales, as well as car washes last week.
These curbside retail transactions were the first time many retailers that were not deemed essential have been allowed to conduct business since the shutdown of the economy in March due to COVID-19. The moves are part of the governor’s four-phase plan to reopen the economy during a pandemic.
The contact tracing effort will allow more businesses to open and more people to be active in public, while helping to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Contact tracing is another tool in our toolbox for tackling COVID-19 in Washington,” Inslee said. “While we need to continue physical distancing, this will allow us to get a better handle on who gets sick and how the virus is spread, which is vital to re-opening our economy.”
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