Two More Washington Counties Move To Phase 2

OLYMPIA, WA — Kitsap and Clallam counties have joined two dozen others in moving forward under the state's four-part reopening plan. Now, 26 counties are approved for phase 2, allowing for restaurants, salons, retail stores and other businesses to resume limited in-person operations.

Under the current guidelines, counties are only eligible to apply for the second phase once they clear a threshold requiring fewer than 10 new cases per 100,000 residents over two weeks. Applications must be supported by each county's health officer, the board of health, local hospitals, and its commission or council, then approved by the state Secretary of Health.

To be approved, counties must show they have adequate hospital capacity and personal protective equipment to keep health care workers safe. Applications must also include plans to meet five requirements:

• Making testing available and accessible to everyone in the county with symptoms.
• Staffing case investigations and contact tracing.
• Housing people in isolation or quarantine who can’t or don’t want to do so at home.
• Providing case management services to those in isolation and quarantine.
• Responding rapidly to outbreaks in congregate settings.

According to state health officials, only Klickitat County remains eligible to apply for a variance, while an application in Clark County is on hold due to an outbreak investigation.

On Thursday morning, Snohomish County leaders called on the state to allow it to move forward, citing a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan and several areas of progress. Under the state's current guidelines, the county's rate of new cases remains above the threshold required for a variance. The county council and the board of health will meet Friday to consider finalizing the application.

Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that updated phase 2 guidance for the state's remaining counties will be shared this week. The governor cautioned that it was unlikely all counties would be able to move forward by Monday, after his stay-at-home order expires.