Inslee Extends Pause On Safe Start Phase Applications By 2 Weeks

SEATTLE, WA — Counties across Washington will not be allowed to move into the next phase of the Safe Start plan for at least two more weeks. Not only that, but new restrictions and rollbacks are possible if coronavirus case counts continue to rise.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced the decision at news conference Tuesday, one day after the state saw its highest daily coronavirus case count yet: 1,101 new coronavirus cases were first reported Monday.

"This virus is growing in the state of Washington," said Inslee shortly before announcing the pause. "That's painful to say but it is a reality."

Inslee first announced the pause on Safe Start applications two weeks ago. It had been set to expire on July 16, but Tuesday's announcement extends the pause until July 28 at the earliest, with the caveat that it could be extended even further if necessary.

With applications paused, counties can't move forward in the Safe Start plan, and so cannot reopen any closed businesses or lift restrictions on gatherings or travel. The governor says he knows that the news is tough to hear, but that it will hopefully prevent the state from having to force counties to more backwards, closing nonessential businesses once again.

"We've paid too dear a price to allow us to withdraw from this threat," said Inslee.

Still, new regulations remain on the table. Earlier the state revised the Safe Start plan to ban both bar top service and live entertainment during the pandemic. The governor says if case counts don't start dropping, more restrictions like those could be necessary.

"People should not be surprised if more gets rolled back depending on the course of this pandemic," said Inslee. "That's going to be influenced by how many people wear masks and how many decide to socially distance."