By John McCallum
Managing Editor 

State moving to Phase 3 of reopening March 22

Indoor business capacity increased to 50%, outdoor sporting venues could begin allowing spectators

 

Last updated 3/18/2021 at 11:01am



OLYMPIA — Washington residents will take another step towards a return to normalcy from the coronavirus pandemic this coming Monday.

At a March 18 news conference, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that effective March 22, the entire state will enter Phase 3 of its Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery. He also said evaluation of COVID-19 metrics will be transitioning from a regional approach to a county-by-county process. The governor also announced a new third phase of the Roadmap, a return for in-person spectators for professional and high school sports.

“Because of the progress we’ve made by decreasing our case rates and hospitalizations, as well as our tremendous efforts to get more people vaccinated, our reopening plan is once again based on counties, not regions,” Inslee said during the press conference. “We are excited to take this step and we will keep evaluating our progress, and the impacts of these changes, to determine how and when we reopen further.”

Under the updated plan, counties will be individually evaluated every three weeks. The evaluations will occur on Mondays with any possible changes taking effect Friday, with the first evaluation scheduled for April 12.

In addition to being individually evaluated, large and small counties will have different sets of criteria. Large counties, defined as counties with more than 50,000 residents, must keep a 14-day average of new COVID cases at or below 200 per 100,000 residents, and a seven-day average of new hospitalizations per 100,000 at five or fewer to remain in Phase 3.

If at any point statewide ICU capacity reaches greater than 90%, all counties will move down one phase, with the Department of Health maintaining its ability to move a county forward or backward at their discretion.

The new phase allows up to 400 people maximum to attend outdoor activities, as well as events in indoor facilities — so long as 400 people does not exceed 50% capacity for the location, and physical distancing and masking protocols are enforced. Larger venue events are capped at 25% occupancy, or up to 9,000 people, whichever is less, and must follow spectator guidelines.

Additionally, Phase 3 will allow up to 50% occupancy or 400 people maximum, whichever is lower, for all indoor spaces. This applies to all industries and indoor activities currently allowed; restaurants, gyms and fitness centers and movie theaters, among others, may all increase their capacity.

“Some of the hardest hit businesses in Washington will be able to return to 50% capacity as we continue on the road to recovery,” Inslee said. “On March 22, we make one more step to beating this virus and rejuvenating our economy.”

For local business, the increase in capacity was welcome news. Mason Jar owner and Cheney Merchants Association President Douglas LeBar said 50% capacity is much easier to plan for since most restaurants see that as an average capacity for normal operations.

Restaurants will experience peak times, of course, such as lunch and dinner rushes, Lebar added, when capacity is at or near full. But for most, 50% occupancy is more of the norm, and a sign things are can begin to improve economically.

“Definitely, things are turning around,” LeBar said. “Fifty percent capacity is pretty solid. We’ll take it.”

But while the move to Phase 3 may help begin to alleviate one problem, it may be opening another – staffing. LeBar said he is having a hard time filling open positions, noting he usually sees “a flood” of applications at this time in the past, adding he’s not sure if its people waiting until after spring break to apply, are happy with the extra benefits they’re receiving through unemployment or are just leery of economic conditions right now.

“We’re just having a real hard time getting resumes,” he added.

The governor also announced on March 18 that beginning last Wednesday, March 17, everyone in Tier 2 will be eligible for their COVID vaccine. This includes workers in agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, firefighters and law enforcement, among others.

Tier 2 also includes people over the age of 16 who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high-risk.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.

Author Bio

John McCallum, Retired editor

John McCallum is an award-winning journalist who retired from Cheney Free Press after more than 20 years. He received 10 Washington Newspaper Publisher Association awards for journalism and photography, including first place awards for Best Investigative, Best News and back-to-back awards in Best Breaking News categories.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Cheney Free Press
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Whitman County Gazette
Odessa Record
Franklin Connection
Davenport Times
Spokane Valley News Herald
Colfax Daily Bulletin

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024