Inslee's 'Safe Start' plan re-opens state economy in phases

Ken Stern | May 13, 20200

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BACK AT WORK – Last Tuesday, May 5, building construction could resume. Brenton Hill and Chad Reinland, from Nelson Lumber Construction, wasted no time in repairing the roofing edge at Calico Cupboard. The café’s opening will be June at the earliest. – Photo by Ken Stern

Gov. Jay Inslee extended the State of Emergency COVID-19 order through May 31 on May 4, while allowing some businesses to open and smaller counties to apply for variances to open additional businesses.

The governor’s “Safe Start” plan amends some components of the original order and allows for a start to re-open the state. The four phase framework started May 5 opening state parks for day use.

Essential businesses were expanded to include existing construction meeting specific criteria, landscaping and lawn care, retail if curb-side pick-up orders only, vehicle and vessel sales, car washes and pet walkers.

Each additional phase expands openings of businesses, recreation, public gatherings and travel. Every phase, is timed for a minimum of three weeks. Each additional opening up phase depends on data and metrics criteria being met.

The four sets of criteria, each needing to meet measurable objectives are:

Health care system readiness.
Testing capacity and availability.
Case and contact investigations.
Ability to protect high-risk populations.

“This phased approach to re-opening our economy will allow us to move forward with a careful and thoughtful balance of our state’s health and economic needs,” Inslee said. “However, if infection rates and hospitalizations for COVID-related issues go up, I would not hesitate to scale these efforts back down to protect public health and save lives.

“I fully recognize the impact this is having on families, workers and businesses, but we have not yet won the fight against this virus,” Inslee emphasized. “We continue to see infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths across the state from COVID-19.”

Each additional phase expands openings of businesses, recreation, public gatherings and travel. Every phase is timed for a minimum of three weeks. Each additional opening up phase depends on set criteria being met. It will be a minimum of 12 weeks before public gatherings of over 50 people can take place in any county.

State Department of Health social distancing and hygiene requirements must be complied with in every stage.

The Safe Start plan is online at https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/SafeStartWA_4May20.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.