The Modified Phase 1 would allow for gatherings of 5 or less and restaurants reopening at restricted capacity.

Submitted by Chelan-Douglas Health District

On Wednesday, June 10, Chelan and Douglas counties received approval to move to a Modified Phase 1 in Governor Inslee’s Phased Approach to Reopening Washington Plan. The “Phase 1.5” approval allows for gatherings of five or less, reopening some retail, food service and service sector businesses at limited capacity, and some non-essential travel.

The following activities are now permitted in Chelan and Douglas counties:

  • Gatherings: Allowed outdoors only, with 5 or fewer people outside your household per week
  • Recreation: Outdoor recreation involving 5 or fewer people outside your household (not including an instructor, with 6 foot distancing); for example, camping, beaches, etc.
  • Travel: Essential travel and limited non-essential travel for Phase I & II permissible activities
  • Businesses/employers:
    • Remaining manufacturing
    • Additional construction phases
    • In-home/domestic services (nannies, housecleaning, etc.)
    • Retail – essential or otherwise, may operate at 50% of building occupancy with Phase II
      requirements regarding physical distancing and other infection prevention measures; businesses are responsible for controlling access appropriately
    • Real estate at 25% of building occupancy; indoor services limited to 30 minutes
    • Professional services/office-based businesses at 25% of building occupancy; indoor services limited to 30 minutes for customers (telework remains strongly encouraged)
    • Hair and nail salons/barbers at 25% of building occupancy
    • Pet grooming at 25% of building occupancy
  • Restaurants/taverns
    • All outdoor food and beverage service may operate subject to Phase II guidance at 50% outdoor capacity with all tables/chairs maintaining at least 6 feet of distance and table size no larger than 5 persons. Additional or new outdoor seating would be allowed subject to maintaining 6 feet distance between table and chairs, as well as receiving any city permit needed.
    • All indoor food and beverage services may operate subject to Phase II guidance with the exception that at no time may the number of customers be at more than 25% indoor capacity with all tables/chairs maintaining at least 6 feet of distance and table size no larger than 5 persons.
    • Furthermore, no bar-area seating is allowed.

People in high-risk populations are strongly encouraged to limit their participation in these modified Phase I activities and business services. High-risk populations are currently defined by the CDC as:

  • Persons 65 years of age and older;
  • People of all ages with underlying medical conditions (particularly not well controlled), including:
    • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, o People who have serious heart conditions
    • People who are immunocompromised,
    • People with severe obesity,
    • People with diabetes,
    • People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis,
    • People with liver disease; and
    • People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility.

The State Department of Health may revoke this approval if circumstances change, such as a significant community transmission, limited access to COVID-19 testing, inadequate surge capacity in the hospital or inadequate PPE supplies.

For more details about the Phased Reopening Plan, please visit the Governor’s website: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/safe-start.