Inslee Signs 'Safe Start' Order To Reopen Washington In Phases

OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday formally signed a plan to reopen Washington's economy in phases, allowing for the gradual return of certain businesses and activities in the weeks ahead. The governor previewed his updated approach in a news conference last Friday.

Inslee's stay-at-home order is in place through the end of May, but his newly-named "Safe Start" order will allow some restrictions to be modified as conditions allow. Smaller counties may be eligible to resume certain activities on a much faster timeline.

Phase 1 of the governor's plan will be fully implemented Tuesday, May 5, allowing for drive-in faith services, vehicle sales, curbside retail, car washes, landscaping, and dog-walking. Restrictions on outdoor recreation will also ease, restoring access to most public lands for day-use.

County and city parks are also eligible to reopen, with certain guidelines in place. Pierce County announced all parks would reopen Tuesday, and King County officials said a plan was in the works to reopen trails and parks to visitors in phases.

In Seattle, Mayor Jenny Durkan said all four of the city's golf courses would reopen Tuesday with limited hours, following the new guidelines established in the governor's plan.

Inslee said at least three weeks will separate each phase, meaning the earliest timeline for implementing the second step will be during the last week of May. According to the Seattle Times, the state is tentatively planning to enact phase 2 on June 1.

Phase 2 will allow restaurants, salons and barber shops to welcome back some customers and restores gatherings among small groups of people. Phase 3 allows for gatherings for up to 50 people, including recreational sports, and permits bars and gyms to operate with limited capacity. The final phase fully restores public interactions, with physical distancing in place, removing the cap on gatherings and other remaining restrictions.

Read the governor's complete "Safe Start" plan here.

Upcoming Phases

Conditions: "When COVID-19 disease burden is low and decreasing and the four capabilities (health care system readiness; testing capacity and availability; case and contact investigations; and ability to protect high-risk populations) are met, the governor will issue an order for the state to move into [the next phase]."

Phase 2

What gets restored:

• Remaining manufacturing and construction phases
• Restaurants/taverns less than 50% capacity/table size no larger than 5 people and no bar area seating
• Hair and nail salons
• Retail (in-store purchases allowed with restrictions)
• Real estate
• Professional services/office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
• In-home/domestic services (i.e., nannies, housecleaning)
• Pet grooming
• Essential travel and limited non-essential travel to engage in Phase 1 and Phase 2 activities is permitted.

Phase 3

What gets restored:

• Outdoor group recreational sports activities (50 or fewer people)
• Recreational facilities at less than 50% capacity (gyms, public pools, etc.)
• Professional sports (horse racing, baseball, etc.) without audience participation
• Restaurants and taverns at less than 75% capacity with table size no larger than 10
• Bar areas in restaurants and taverns at less than 25% capacity
• Indoor gyms at less than 50% capacity; theaters at less than 50% capacity
• Customer facing government services (telework remains strongly encouraged where possible)
• Libraries
• Museums
• All other business activities not yet listed except for nightclubs and events with no more than 50 people.

Phase 4

What gets restored:

• All public interactions (with physical distancing)
• All recreational activity
• Gatherings with more than 50 people
• Nightclubs
• Concert venues
• Large sporting events
• Unrestricted staffing of worksites (with physical distancing and good hygiene)

Smaller counties may apply to reopen sooner

Under the governor's plan, counties with a population below 75,000 can apply to activate phase 2 early, if they have not reported a new COVID-19 case within the past three weeks. Inslee said 10 Washington counties currently meet the criteria and can request a variance from the state.