Tri-Cities And Yakima County Get Additional Business And Recreational Openings Within Their Phase 1
READ ON
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.
Related Stories:
From ‘Freaking Pissed’ To ‘Big Things’: How One Olympia Gym Survived The Pandemic Uncertainty
It was almost a year ago that Athena Fitness in Olympia was facing financial doom. The women-owned business had opened just before the pandemic struck. In August of last year, new COVID restrictions threatened to put the owners out of business. So, what’s happened since?
15 Months Into Restrictions, Washington Mostly Drops COVID Business And Crowd Limitations
Fifteen months after Washington state’s first “stay at home” order was issued in response to the coronavirus, businesses across the state are now allowed to return to pre-pandemic operations.
Governor Says All Washington Counties Will Stay In Their Current Reopening Phase…For Now
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday said all of the state’s counties will remain in their current phase of the state’s economic reopening plan and won’t face more restrictions because new COVID cases are levelling off after a recent spike.
