An Edmonds Kind of Fourth

@WADeptHealth

WA Department of Health

Gov. Inslee announced the “Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery,” a new COVID-19 phased recovery plan which will replace the previous county-level reopening plan. The new two-phased plan begins on January 11, 2021, divides the state into eight regions. Each region begins in Phase 1, which limits capacity at gyms and prohibits indoor dining and at-home indoor gatherings with people outside the household. Phase 2 eases restrictions, which includes allowing restaurants to reopen at 50%.

On 1/28/21, Governor Inslee announced changes to the reopening plan. The state is still using the eight-region, two-phase system, but now, a region may advance to Phase 2 if it meets just three of the four required metrics; previously, regions had to meet all four. Additionally, the state will now evaluate regions every two weeks rather than every week.

The four metrics are as follows:

1) Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100k population; 2) Decreasing trend of 10% or more in two-week rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations; 3) Less than 90% Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occupancy; and, 4) COVID-19 test positivity of less than 10%.

As of February 14, 2021, all eight regions have been moved into Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington Roadmap.

Requirement. Beginning June 26, every Washingtonian in an indoor public space, or in an outside public space when unable to physically distance from others, will be legally required to wear a face covering. Effective July 7 businesses are required to enforce the use of facial coverings. Expansion of face coverings order that will go into effect Saturday, July 25. The expansion will require face coverings in all common spaces, such as elevators, hallways and shared spaces in apartment buildings, university housing and hotels, as well as congregate setting such as nursing homes.