5 Washington counties to enter next phase of reopening their economies

Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Ferry, and Pend Oreille counties will be able to ease social distancing after state health officials approved their requests to reopen parts of their communities earlier than others.

The move could allow for some small gatherings, and allow businesses including domestic service providers, restaurants, barber shops, and other brick-and-mortar retailers to reopen with restrictions.

The five counties in question were approved to move into the second phase of Washington's four-phase approach to emerging from the state's stay-at-home order.

To be approved for the variance, a county must have fewer than 75,000 residents and no positive cases of Covid-19 for three weeks. The counties also must have a plan for testing, contact tracing, housing and isolating people who test positive for the virus, case management, and plan for outbreaks in group settings.

The rest of the state is currently in Phase 1, which allows for limited openings of construction projects, outdoor recreation, car sales, and other activities.

Washington's stay home order extended through May 31, state to reopen in four phases

The five counties applied to move forward into the second phase, citing relatively small and more spread out populations in comparison to other areas of the state. Their requests were approved by State Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

“We recognize Covid-19 is impacting some parts of our state in different ways and some counties will be ready to move forward earlier than others,” Secretary Wiesman said in a written statement.

“While recognizing that reality, we set cautious, thorough requirements for counties that want to apply for a variance. Each of the counties approved to enter Phase 2 has demonstrated strong planning and capability in the areas necessary to protect public health in their communities," Wiesman continued.

Businesses must wait for guidance on how they can operate, and the stay-at-home-order is still in effect. But phase two generally allows:

• Gatherings of five or fewer people outside a household once a week.
• Limited non-essential travel outside of home.
• Outdoor recreation involving five or fewer people, including camping, is allowed.
• Certain small businesses can restart, such as manufacturing; new construction; in-home domestic services (nannies, housekeeping); real estate; hair and nail salons and barbers; restaurant service at less than 50% capacity and with tables no larger than five.
• In-store retail service is also allowed, with restrictions.
• Telework remains strongly encouraged, but some office work can resume as well.

Kittitas, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties have also applied to move onto Phase 2; their applications are pending. Stevens County also applied but was deemed ineligible.

Washington's stay-at-home order is still in effect throughout the state through at least May 31.