Washington reopening comes with qualifications
By Terry Murry on Thursday, July 1st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – At midnight Wednesday, Washington state reopened for business and recreation after more than a year of restrictions were put into place by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Washington had come a long way since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the country was found in our state January 2020, and that is in no small part due to Washingtonians’ dedication and resilience in protecting themselves and their communities throughout the pandemic,” Governor Inslee said Tuesday ahead of the state’s reopening. “Because folks listened to science and stayed home to stay healthy, wore masks and got vaccinated, we can now safely re-open our state’s economy and cultural centers after 15 long months.”
Inslee acknowledged Wednesday marks a new stage in the state’s continued effort to defeat the pandemic, there is still work to be done. He encourages everyone to get vaccinated and encourages any loved one who has not yet received the lifesaving vaccine to do so, and quickly.
As for all industry sectors previously covered by guidance in the Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery or Safe Start Reopening Plan, they may now return to usual capacity and operations. No restrictions to capacity limitations in restaurants, bars, stores, businesses, theaters, etc.
There will be limited exceptions for large indoor events (any event with more than 10,000 simultaneous participants in an indoor, enclosed space).
Vaccine verification and/or negative testing is recommended but not required for large indoor and outdoor events.
Physical distancing will not be required, and facial coverings will not be required for vaccinated individuals, unless required by individual business.
Some exceptions will include schools and childcare centers that will continue to have some facial coverings and physical distance requirements.
The Washington State Department of Health reminds Washingtonians that reopening does not mean the pandemic is over or that the risk of COVID-19 is gone.
If you are unvaccinated, the DOH recommends those individuals continue wearing masks when indoors in public places, keep watching your hands and watching your distance and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms. While the state has made tremendous progress on vaccination, more than 35 percent of people 12 and older in the state have not yet gotten their first dose. DOH is continuing to see outbreaks in areas and settings where vaccination rates are lower.
