File photo. Customers flocked to the River Mile 38 brewpub in Cathlamet after it reopened its tasting room and patio in mid-May. Wahkiakum County is in the vanguard of Washington counties advancing through Safe Start reopening phases. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3

Tri-Cities And Yakima County Get Additional Business And Recreational Openings Within Their Phase 1

By Scott Leadingham
File photo. Customers flocked to the River Mile 38 brewpub in Cathlamet after it reopened its tasting room and patio in mid-May. Wahkiakum County is in the vanguard of Washington counties advancing through Safe Start reopening phases. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3
File photo. Customers flocked to the River Mile 38 brewpub in Cathlamet after it reopened its tasting room and patio in mid-May. Wahkiakum County was in the vanguard of Washington counties advancing through Safe Start reopening phases. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3

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QUICK LINKS:

–Washington coronavirus information page

-Benton and Franklin counties updated business guidance 

-Yakima County / versión en español aquí

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Department of Health have paused counties moving to the next phase of reopening. But there is some good news for the Tri-Cities and Yakima Valley.

Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties have been approved for more business and recreational activities beginning this Saturday. The approval means additional operations within the counties’ current modified Phase 1 – not moving to a full Phase 2.

State health officials announced Wednesday that wineries, breweries, distilleries, taverns, swimming pools, indoor retail, and drive-in movies can operate with additional safety guidance.

For example, wineries and breweries can operate even without food service, but only with outdoor seating. Swimming pools can open for lap swimming and small-group swim lessons. And indoor retail business shopping expands from 15 to 25% of capacity.

Health officials say that continuing to use face masks in public settings is key to driving down infection rates and eventually allowing further reopenings.

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