NEW Skagit County moves to Phase 2 of Healthy Washington-Roadmap to Recovery plan Sunday

The North Region of Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties will be moving forward to Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery Plan beginning on Sunday, February 14 Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.

Movement in the Roadmap to Recovery plan is determined by four metrics measuring the status of coronavirus infection and healthcare facilities for the region. Improvements regionwide have been dramatic in all four metrics. The downward trend in rate of cases the previous 14 day period is 32% versus a 69% increase in early January. The hospital admission rate is -17%, meeting the metric of a decrease in admissions; Intensive Care Unit beds are at 53% occupancy, below the 80% metric. The percent of people testing positive is 6%, below the 10% metric.

“Skagitonians have done a lot of work to get to this moment,” said Commissioner Lisa Janicki “We’re thankful to everyone who is continuing to keep socially distant, masking up and avoiding socially gatherings. You’re working hard to keep our community safe. Please keep it up and continue to support our local businesses.”

Businesses and individuals can engage in more activities during Phase 2, while following appropriate restrictions. Activities newly permitted during Phase 2 include:

• Indoor social gatherings with five or fewer people, and outdoor gatherings with 15 or fewer people. Both indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than two households.
• Restaurants can open for indoor dining, keep occupancy at 25 percent of maximum capacity.
• Fitness centers can open for non-appointment indoor operations, also keeping with 25 percent maximum occupancy.

Restrictions for worship services, retail stores and professional and personal services remain unchanged.

“Vaccines are coming, and we urge everyone to continue following basic precautions regardless of the activities you’re undertaking to ensure that you are healthy when you become eligible for a vaccine,” said Public Health Director Jennifer Johnson. “Keep wearing your mask- and even double up if you can. Maintain social distance of six feet from everyone you don’t live with; practice good hand hygiene and continue to keep your social gatherings safe and small. We can get through this together.”